March Winds Stir up Old Issues 3/18/2019

Winds of Change and Investigation

(AND WOMEN!) 

Full Congressional Hearing: Utah National Monuments

Locate Recordings of San Juan County Work / Commission Meetings

President Trump Signs Bishop's Land Bill March 12, 2019

Summary of Public Lands Package

ALL 698 Pages of Public Lands Bill S 47

Congressional Hearings on Bears Ears:  KUER

Both Lee and Romney Vote to Block Pres. Trump's Emergency Border Wall

Petition to Study Possibility of Changing SJC Government 

"There is a petition in circulation for the registered voters of San Juan County to exercise their right of self governance and place a question on the ballot in November. The question is simply whether a committee should be formed to study the possibility of changing our form of government in San Juan County. We will vote on whether to study the issue and vote again on any proposed solution. All voices will have ample time to be heard as the citizens of San Juan County consider and debate this important question.

I encourage everyone to support the formation of a study committee by voting in favor of the question. But first, we need signatures to get the question on the ballot. We have a natural right to petition which is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Let’s exercise that right. Please sign the petition. Anyone who would like to sign or help gather signatures please contact the petition sponsor closest to you: Suzette Morris - Aneth and Montezuma Creek, Wendy Walker Tibbetts - Spanish Valley and LaSal, Alex Bitsinnie - Navajo Mtn and Monument Valley, Tim Young - Monticello, Joe B Lyman, Janet Wilcox - in Blanding and anywhere in the county. Joe B. Lyman" 

~~Audio of March 5 Commission Meeting/ 11 AM

~~Sign On-LIne Petition Protesting Bears Ears Expansion

"SAN JUAN COUNTY RESIDENTS - Let your voice be heard! If you pay attention to the media you will see that our voices are being drown out. That San Juan County Commissioners support a 1.9 million acre monument and the assumption is that we must all now support it too. The petition is complete. Please SIGN IN PERSON if possible (See picture for locations). 

I have an online version I will be sharing as well. Over the next few months we will have on the ground grassroots efforts to travel San Juan County to petition signatures."

~~ Audio of March 5 Commission Work Meeting

~~Samoan Leader Defends Use of Pacific Ocean Waters

~~Two County Commissioners Testify in DC For Expansion of Bears Ears

~~ Visitors died in Grand Staircase Because of Lack of Signage: Leland Pollack Testifies

~~Trump Tramps Native Rights? Escalante/Bears Ears Congressional Hearing

~~SJC Commission approves Resolutions Written by Ghost Writer

~~Agenda 21, and where is it taking the United States

~~ Logging Vs Recreation: Basalt, Colo

Borders, Bundy, Bluff and Beyond; January 19, 2019

News in the West

Salt Lake Tribune Receives Grant for Full Time SJC Reporter

Watch The National Debt Clock Escalate

Fiscal Debt and Why it Matters

~~  Hearing Jan 22 to Evaluate W. Greyeyes' State/ SJC Residency;  "Decorum" Rules

~~ Want More Fiscal Responsibility? Give more Power to the States  Gov. Herbert

"...the increasing frequency of federal shutdowns . . . should tell us that the problem is deeper than a disagreement over immigration or health care or the debt ceiling. If we accept that federal shutdowns are likely to continue to occur, then we should consider long-term strategies to mitigate their scope and severity—including the return to a robust federalism that leaves more policy making power to the states. . . . One year ago, I joined with a few other governors to meet then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to discuss various policy concerns. Among other topics, I emphasized the need to devolve power from Washington, D.C., to states, where government is more innovative and responsive. Mrs. Pelosi agreed, and even quoted Justice Louis Brandeis’ famous idea that states are the “laboratories of democracy.” Usually, I’m the one reciting that phrase to federal officials, so I was happy to experience the reverse." Gary Herbert

~~ Cliven Bundy Case Dismissed

~~ Bluff City Council Disconnects "City" from Lyman Family Farms Property 

“I was not elected to engage in expensive litigation,” Mayor Anne Leppanan said. “Expensive, long, nasty litigation with an attorney who will take us through the wringer.

 Natural Resources Package Introduced in Senate   

Senator Murkowski, AK

~~ Dock Congressmen's Salary During Gov. Shutdowns?  John Curtis Agrees 

~~ Climate Change Paranoia; the Campaign for Global Socialism

~~ Conservation Easements + Land Trusts Subvert Private Property Rights

      Tom DeWeese wrote in Sustainable, that there are thousands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with the UN to subvert property rights. Of course, they don’t just announce that property rights are now null and void. That would create a stir. Instead, they use code words and language that sound innocent and helpful to our society. One such tool that is now being used to target rural lands for takings is the Conservation Easement, and its threat is growing."

~~ FBI Recommended that BLM Waive Bundy Grazing Rights   Washington Post   

~~Farmers Under Fire: Trial Lawyers’ Attack Agriculture

"Agriculture is in the crosshairs as class-action lawsuits seek huge monetary awards against agricultural producers, said a panel of experts at a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention."

~~ Land and Water Conservation Funds Pose Problem for Stockmen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wall Building on the Border: Yay and Nay

~~ Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar's views on building the Wall:

"The statistics are worth repeating:

• 90% of the heroin in our country flows through our porous southern border
• 50 percent increase in family units arriving in 2018  
• First time in the history of United States family units and children make up the majority of apprehensions. 
• In the last two years alone, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records. Including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults and nearly 30,000 sex crimes.
• 68% of migrants and refugees are victims of violence along the journey
• 1 out of 3 women sexually assaulted  

When listening to the open border left discuss the much-needed border wall, they often whine that the wall will not work. They cite no facts or figures that walls do not work, nor can they, since the reality is far different. The data shows that anywhere we have built walls we have seen a massive drop in illegal crossings – usually by 90% or more.

• Tucson (built in 2000): Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 90% over 15 years
• Yuma (built in 2005): Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 95% over 9 years  
• San Diego (built in 1992): Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 92% over the past 23 years
• El Paso (built in 1993):  Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 72% in one year and 95% over 22 years"

~~ Regulatory Roadblocks in Securing the Southern Borders of US

~~ Who's Crossing the Border? 

~~Farmer Says He'll Give Trump An Easement If He'll Build the Wall

2019 -- Times are a Changin' -- Bear Essentials and More

News in the West

~~~~

Utahans Will Pay more for Gas and Out of State Purchases in 2019

Normally, most citizens  believe we are already taxed enough as we pay for government services which are often antiquated, ineffective, and most often wasteful; however, when it comes to lost tax revenues which  affect our San Juan County Schools, I believe out-of-county shopping has been a great detriment to our schools, our teachers, and the services provided to our children.  

I know many people who prefer to drive 160 miles to Walmart, rather than support local stores. Thus they give those taxes to Colorado schools and agencies. Nor does Amazon and  other on-line services share any of their wealth with anyone in San Juan County. If we want a thriving economy in San Juan, without more businesses closing, we need to shop locally first.  Then, and only then, should we shop out of county, or at Amazon, or any other on-line business. Jeff Bezos has no interest nor concern about lack of services, personnel or materials in our schools.  I think requiring the collection and payment of out of state sales tax revenues to San Juan County is a good thing.  JW

Senator Graham Gives Warning to Mitt Romney

Utah Congressmen Push to Keep Nat'l Parks Open

Tribute to Mancos Times:  Renewal Project

Old News:  Opening of Bluff Bears Ears Visitor's Center Free Press

Suit Challenges Willie Greyeyes' Candidacy                 

The 15-page complaint filed with the court, claims, “Mr. Grayeyes is a resident of the state of Arizona, not of the state of Utah, thus he is ineligible to run for, or serve, as a San Juan County Commissioner.” 

The 15-page complaint filed with the court claims, “Mr. Grayeyes is a resident of the state of Arizona, not of the state of Utah, thus he is ineligible to run for, or serve, as a San Juan County Commissioner.” 

The 15-page complaint filed with the court claims, “Mr. Grayeyes is a resident of the state of Arizona, not of the state of Utah, thus he is ineligible to run for, or serve, as a San Juan County Commissioner.” 

The 15-page complaint filed with the court claims, “Mr. Grayeyes is a resident of the state of Arizona, not of the state of Utah, thus he is ineligible to run for, or serve, as a San Juan County Commissioner.” 

~~Petition Filed Dec. 28, Showing Greyeyes as Arizona Resident: 64 items

~~What are Public Lands to be used for?  Dexter Gill

~~Constitutional Amendment Proposed Limiting Congressional Term Limits 

~~Navajo Technical University Awarded 3.5 M Grant

~~Republican's Impressive Congressional Score Card

~~KSJD Radio:  Colorado Native Acting Sec. of Interior

~~ Utah's Pension Plan #8 in the Nation, While Other States Falter

• Bankrupt Fed Government Runs out of Money; Parks Suffer
• Drought Affecting Colorado Dry Farmers

Dove Creek "bills itself as the “Pinto Bean Capital of the World,” but the proclamation doesn’t attract many tourists – farming is still the primary economic driver here. In a typical year, Pribble will take in 3 million pounds of pinto beans grown without irrigation water – dryland beans. This summer, despite their admirable thrift, the bean plants withered in bone dry conditions. Southwest Colorado’s entire 2018 dryland bean crop failed, along with almost all of its wheat, sunflower, and safflower.  

Election Fallout and New Attacks on the West

Worth a Reread or Full 1st time Read: 

A “MONUMENTAL” CHANGE: San Juan County Embraces Industrial Tourism

           …by Jim Stiles

Moab's Main Street: Is this our goal? 

Good News Bears

--Farmers Almanac Forcast for this winter:

~~Wildlife-related recreation on BLM land boosts Utah’s economy by $79.1M

Bad News Bears

~~Imagine a country that often has a corrupt authoritarian government. In that country no one knows about checks and balances or an independent court system. Private property is not recognized in that country. Neither can one buy or sell land. Businesses are reluctant to bring investments into this country. Those who have jobs usually work for the government public sector. Those who don’t have jobs subsist on entitlements that provide basic food.  Where do you think that closest Sovereign Nation is?  And how many Native Americans face this tragedy?

Be sure to read this whole article.  There is much that needs to change.

~~NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS: “SOCIALIST ARCHIPELAGO” 

    "Native Americans receive more federal subsides than anybody else in the United States. This includes subsidized housing, health, education, and direct food aid. Yet, despite the uninterrupted flow of federal funds, they are the poorest group in the country. The poverty level on many reservations ranges between 38 and 63 percent (up to 82 percent on some reservations), and half of all the jobs are usually in the public sector. This is before the crisis of 2008! You don’t have to have a Ph.D. in economics to figure out that one of the major sources of this situation is a systemic failure of the federal Indian policies."  Author: Andrei Znamenski

~~Pategonia and Dine' Bekayha Celebrate Greyeyes' Historic Win 

~~SUWA Working to Defeat Emery County Public Lands Bill

~~With all the problems Salt Lake City has, somehow their Mayor, Jackie Biskupski, seems to be overly concerned about San Juan County.  Follow her Blog for more craziness

~~Public lands in Worse Shape than Privately owned Lands  True Conservation impossible without property rights. 

~~AS CALIFORNIA BURNS, JERRY BROWN TAKES HEAT FOR VETOING 2016 WILDFIRE MITIGATION BILL

PBS Documentary on Bears Ears Fall 2018

Watch the PBS Documentary on line -- released in 2018

KUTA Film maker Nancy Green is interviewed by Doug Fabrizio concerning Bears Ears.
Listen and learn

~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: Nov. 4, 2018~~ Last edition

I've been publishing this newsletter for 28 months and constraints on my time are such that this will be the last issue.  I can't keep going to bed at 2 AM!! The Beyond Bears Ears Blog will remain up and I will add links to current articles worth reading. There are also hundreds of links on the site if you need to reference anything from the past several years.  Otherwise, just go to Save the Bears Ears on Facebook.  Current needs and discussion will be there.  Thank you for your support during this long battle, which unfortunately isn't over.  Thank you for caring enough to stay informed and active in public lands issues.  Janet

--------------------------------------

    ~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: Nov. 4, 2018

Happenings in the West

~~Amy Irvine’s New View of Desert Solitaire by E. Abby

~~Rural Business Summit for SE Utah in Price Nov. 9:
San Juan County Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, Students, and Community Leaders:

“Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox will be the Keynote Speaker followed by interactive training sessions and business breakouts. Take advantage of the networking opportunities and browse our business exhibit booths. Enjoy a catered lunch along with a presentation by Derek Miller of the Salt Lake Chamber. Gain insights and best practices in rural employment as you listen to our business resource panel. And hear from our closing Keynote Speaker Vale Hale, Executive Director at Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development. Those concerned about growth, economy, and the future should attend.”

~~

For More Information

n  Phil Lyman: Position on Federal Land Management

n  Plea To Senator Hatch:  Save us from Antiquities Act

n  Navajo Nation Calls GREEN ENERGY CAMPAIGN A ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’

n  More Investigations Concerning “Monumental Campaign”

n  Information On Utah Ballot Propositions

n  Need more Info on Judges before You Vote?

n  Help Support Phil Lyman’s Campaign for State Representative

n  Trump Signs Measure to Roll Back Harmful Water Regulations

                                                                                                          

n  San Juan County Accused of Racism in Politics

n  Mark Maryboy, the Man Fighting to Save the West?

n  Marsha Holland: Backed by Green Out-of-State Money

“The majority of Holland’s contributions are from the Salt Lake Valley, which is generally more liberal than southern Utah. And interestingly, her donations are also from supporters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, San Francisco and Berkeley, California, Boulder and  Durango, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois, and locations in states including Arizona New Jersey, Connecticut, Alabama, Ohio and Oregon.”

“With these out-of-district, out-of-state contributions, Holland’s campaign has outraised Republican favorite, Phil Lyman, by at least a multiple of 4. By contrast, Lyman, a southeastern Utah native and Commissioner in San Juan County, has received contributions exclusively from within the state, from individuals in his hometown of Blanding, as well as a handful of conservative political interests in Salt Lake City.”

n  Turning a Win-Win Public Lands Compromise into a Loss for Americans

n  Forest Service Decision Results in Catastrophic Fires

n  Calf. Democrat Will Further Degrade Antiquities-Historic Site

~~~~~~~

n Read Past Editions of Bear Essentials

Documenting Bears Ears Controversy and Public Land Issues since July 2016

~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: Sept 22, 2018 ~~

Life in the West

Ø Make Sure You’re Registered to Vote!  If you’re new in town, or have changed houses, you need to fill out a registration form and get it to the court house PDQ.

   Call 678-2851 or 678-2474 if you need a form

 

Ø Meditations on Industrial Tourism

“Draw a boundary around a landscape, give it a national monument or park designation, and slap a name on it, and you’ve reduced something indescribable and wondrous to a brand, a slogan, a commodity to be marketed to the masses. Impose upon it a bunch of rules, entry fees, campgrounds, and designated trails, and you take away a freedom that is inherent to the place.”

Ø The Bureau of Land Management will hold 3 public meetings as part of the land use planning related to the new Bears Ears Monument.  See article on the right.

Ø One Source of Public Lands Funding Expires in Sept.

n  Deadline for Comments On Uranium Mill/ Energy Fuels Extended

  Addresses for writing Due Sept. 25

n  Get Phil Lyman Elected: You Can Help

n  Governor Herbert Believes Utah Can Better Manage Forests

n  Sec. Zinke to visit Zions Park 9/24/18  Looking at “Deferred Maintainance”

n  Should Las Vegas Pump Water It Doesn’t Own?

n  Political/ Geographic Divide Hurts Public Lands

“Casey Snider, Bishop's former legislative director and a volunteer firefighter, said status quo management of the forests will only lead to more catastrophic wildfires.

"When it comes to fire, you are either going to graze it, log it or burn it out on public lands," Snider said. "The idea that everything is fine if we just do nothing is completely, factually inaccurate."

n  Environmentalists Protest Sale of Public Lands for Oil/Gas Development

n  High Country News Questions SJC Promotion

n  Trump’s Attack on Public Lands Could Help Demo Mid Term Elections

n  Alliance for Better Utah Promoting Tourism

n  Alliance For a Better Utah Intent on Smearing San Juan County

Recent Letter Sent to a Constituent by Alliance for a Better Utah: 

Things are running amuck in San Juan County.

San Juan County Clerk, John David Nielson, doctored election documents to keep Navajo community leader and County Council candidate, Willie Grayeyes, off November’s ballot. This is another incident in a long line of either rampant incompetence or active voter suppression on the part of elections officials in San Juan County to keep the “good ol’ boys” of San Juan in power.

But Alliance for a Better Utah is fighting back.

We’re on the offensive, letting San Juan County voters know Willie’s story and the illegal activities of John David Nielson with targeted ads, but we need your help. We’re looking to raise $1,000 today to get ads placed and the word out. Will you help us reach our goal with a donation of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford today?

For too long, underrepresented voices have been shut out of the conversation. It’s time to push back. With your support, we will continue to monitor the situation in San Juan County, call out officials for incompetent, immoral, and illegal behavior, and, if necessary, take legal action to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Your donations today will count toward our Political Accountability Fund goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the month and show the “good ol’ boys” of San Juan County and elsewhere that we’re fed up with politics as usual. Please give today.

Sincerely,

Chase Thomas
Executive Director

DONATE – Become a Sustaining Member and Help Better UTAH All Year Long »

Alliance for a Better Utah          (We all should write and protest)
P.O. Box 521847
Salt Lake City, UT 84152
801-893-ABU1 (2281)
info@betterutah.org

The World Needs More Cowboys! Video

~~~~~~~

n Read Past Editions of Bear Essentials at: http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/

Documenting Bears Ears Controversy and Public Land Issues since July 2016