Gobblers on the Loose, Wanting More From Tax Payers

The County Seat with Chad Booth Looks at Tax Reform in Utah 

~~ San Juan Record Live Broadcast  regarding Taxation in SJC

~~ The Case for Abolishing Federal Reservation System 

FEDERAL INDIAN POLICY IS DESTROYING AMERICA: OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT 

"ASSERTION: Since its origins in the 1830’s (judicial, legislative, administrative), all of federal Indian policy is: 1) entirely unconstitutional; 2) denies full American citizens enrolled in tribal governments their 14th Amendment protections and civil rights; 3) compels forced reparations in perpetuity upon American taxpayers to annually subsidize all basic needs and services of 573 tribal governments; and 4) permits tax-exempt casinos and other tribal enterprises to determine the marketplace of the tax-paying economy in thousands of communities across the nation."
   Read More

~~ Features and News in Dec/Jan issue of the The Canyon Zephyr

 ~~ The Slovenly Wilderness: Pavement + Parking = No Paradise, by Stacy Young

~~ The Politics of Payback by Bill Keshlear

KUED had a Great video about Moab in the '50's recently, with Ted Capener interviewing
locals who were there when the Uranium Boom started;  Sam Taylor and Adrian,  Bette Stanton --and many others who were eye witnesses to growth in SE Utah.   If it comes on again, be sure to watch it.      Here's the trailer:

~~ Jeff Burningham Running For Governor, Visits San Juan County

~~ Blanding City Council Remains Proactive in Developing Businesses

~~ Truth in Taxation Meeting Highlights County Concerns

Plan to Attend, Dec. 12  

Big Winter Storms Bring Blessings to the Land

~~ Will Economic "Perfect Storm" Lead to Depression in SJC ?

~~ Why Does San Juan County Have the Highest Tax Rate in the State?

~~Former Utah Diné Bikéyah staffer gets management spot at Bears Ears Monument

~~ Politics of Gerrymandering and Retribution

~~ Dark Skies more Important that Jobs in N. San Juan?

~~ Extraordinarily Wealthy Environmentalists Stoke the Racism Fire 

"“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” — Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 1789"    But....if they are stirred by the extreme winds of falsehoods and half truths, Citizens must be wary. 

Utah Public Notice

Documents Updated from last week's meetings 12/11/19

• GSGDraftRecvyPlan.pdf - 11/27/19 2:51 PM

• GSGRcvyPlanCommts.pdf - 11/27/19 2:51 PM

• Polling Accessibility Report (00000005).pdf - 11/27/19 2:52 PM

• Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access One-Pager FINAL 10.9.pdf - 11/27/19 2:52 PM

• San Juan County Telecom Franchise (10-10-19)v2.pdf - 11/27/19 2:52 PM

• 20191203 Commission Work Mtg.MP3 - 12/5/19 4:50 PM

• 20191203 Commission Mtg.MP3 - 12/5/19 4:53 PM

• December 3, 2019.pdf - 12/11/19 2:58 PM

Agenda

Notice Date & Time: 12/3/19 9:00 AM

Description/Agenda:

        SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA
December 3, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Letter of Support for the American Indian Consortium for Election Access and the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) Program - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
2. ORDINANCE GRANTING TO EMERY TELECOMMUNICATIONS & VIDEO, INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A FRANCHISE FOR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
3. Dolores County Inter-Governmental Agreement - Benny Musselman, San Juan County Public Works
4. Dishwasher Purchase for Public Safety Building - Monte Perkins, San Juan County Maintenance
5. Spanish Valley Updates - Jerry McNeely, San Juan County Liaison
6. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - November 19, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the Commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Dishwasher Purchase for Public Safety Building - Monte Perkins, San Juan County Maintenance
4. Approve Letter on the Draft Recovery Plan for Gunnison Sage-Grouse - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
5. ORDINANCE GRANTING TO EMERY TELECOMMUNICATIONS & VIDEO, INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A FRANCHISE FOR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
7. Approval of the Dolores County Inter-Governmental Agreement - Benny Musselman, San Juan County Public Works
6. Executive Session to Discuss Pending or Imminent Litigation
7. Determination of Referability of Citizen Petition for Referendum of Spanish Valley Zoning Ordinance - Kendall Laws, San Juan County Attorney
8. Commission Reports

Pehrson Clears Name; Meetings, Roads, Windmills, and Wildlife/ Nov. 15, 2019

Meditations to Start the Day

Thanks, Anna Tom

Thank You, Readers!  Beyond the Bears -- October 2019 had the Highest Readership in a single month since inception -- 1637 site contacts

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Citizens Invited to Attend

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 State Representative Lyman Sues U.S. for $10M over Trespassing Conviction

Satire from the Navajo Times:  Jack Ahasteen is a great cartoonist

An Important message

~~ BLM Oil Leasing Facing Protests in Mesquite area

===================

~~ November 19 San Juan Commission Meeting

        SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA
November 19, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Spanish Valley Planning Ordinances - Mark Vlasic, Landmark Design 
2. County Seat Presentation - Chad Booth
3. Bluff Town Updates - Bluff Town Council
4. County Predation Management Plan Contract - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
5. Public Works Purchase of Bottom Dump Trailer - Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
6. Public Works Purchase of Fruehauf 8400 Gallon Trailer, Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
7. Spanish Valley Updates - Jerry McNeely, San Juan County Liaison
8. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - November 5, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Public Hearing to consider the following draft ordinances
a. Spanish Valley Residential (SVR) District
b. Spanish Valley Planned Community (PC) District
c. Spanish Valley Residential Flex Planned Community (RF) District
d. Spanish Valley Business Flex Planned Community (BF) District
e. Spanish Valley Highway Flex Planned Community (HF) District
f. Spanish Valley Highway Commercial (HC) District
g. Spanish Valley Water Efficient Landscape Requirements
h. Spanish Valley Outdoor Lighting and Sign Illumination Requirements
i. Spanish Valley Sign and Display Requirements
j. Spanish Valley Overnight Accommodations Overlay District Requirements
k. Amendment of Chapter 11: Multiple Use, Agricultural, Rural Residential Districts Adoption, specifically Subsection 11-3 of the San Juan County, Utah Zoning Ordinance (2011) to amend the minimum lot sizes in those districts from one-acre to as small as one-quarter acre as compatible with state regulations on water and sewer sources and lot sizes.
l.  Adoption of a new Section 4 of Article II. Planning Requirements for All Zones in San Juan County in the San Juan County Subdivision Ordinance (2016) to create a minor subdivision ordinance permitting developments up to four lots to be exempt from the platting requirements of the subdivision ordinance.
4. Planning and Zoning Ordinances consideration for Approval
a. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SPANISH VALLEY DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCES AND MAP AMENDING THE SAN JUAN COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE
b. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11; MULTIPLE USE, AGRICULTURAL, RURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS ADOPTION, SPECIFICALLY SUBSECTION 11-3 OF THE SAN JUAN COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE (2011)
c. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 4 OF ARTICLE II. PLATTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ZONES IN SAN JUAN COUNTY IN THE SAN JUAN COUNTY SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE (2016) CREATING A MINOR SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE 
5. Ratification and approval of  Capital Improvements to the Public Safety Building - Monte Perkins, San Juan County Maintenance Director
6. Consideration of the following Subdivisions for Approval - Scott Burton, San Juan County Planning & Zoning
a. Hummingbird Nest
b. La Sal Acres Amendment No. 1
c. Cannon Ranchos Amendment No. 3
d. Flat Iron Mesa Ranch, Phase XXIV
7. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Landfill Loaders - Randy Rarick, San Juan County Landfill
8. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Landfill Custom Scaling System - Randy Rarick, San Juan County Landfill
9. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Public Works Bottom Dump Trailer - Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
10. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Public Works Fruehauf 8400 Gallon Trailer - Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
11. Approval and Execution of the San Juan School District Quality Teaching Incentive Program Resolution - Kyle Hosler, San Juan School District
12. County Predation Management Plan Contract - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
13. Election Canvas for Approval - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
14. Tax Abatement - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
15. Convene as Local Building Authority
a. Local Building Authority Request for Reimbursement Authorization Form
16. Reconvene as Board of San Juan County Commission
17. Commission Reports

*The Board of San Juan County Commissioners can call a closed meeting at any time during the Regular Session if necessary, for reasons permitted under UCA 52-4-205*

~~  State Records Committee Clears Kelly Pehrson of Insubordination 

   "The management style of the new commissioners has taken a toll on day-in, day-out workings of government. The most visible and possibly far-reaching impact so far could be Maryboy’s accusations of insubordination directed at Kelly Pehrson, county administrator, who left in April to take a high-level state job in Salt Lake City. Pehrson has fought to clear his name over the past five months, and yesterday the State Records Committee sided with him in that effort."  Bill Keshlear

~~ Range Magazine Tells Part of the LeVoy Finicum Story

~~ Dept. of Interior Paves Way for Future State Control of Public Land Roads

"In a notice in the Federal Register on Friday, Interior revealed it would open a 30-day review of control of Manganese Road in southwest Utah.

Nearly all of the 10.18-mile thoroughfare sits on lands governed by the Bureau of Land Management. Interior's approval would give control of the right of way — including maintenance and improvements — to state and local officials.

But conservationists warn that the Manganese Road could be a test case for Utah, which has long disputed control of more than 14,000 rights of way covering some 35,000 miles in the state."

~~  Huntsman Visits Southern Utah:  "Ground Zero" for Growth in Utah

~~ Penetrating the Ballot Fog in San Juan (Nov. 5 vote on study regarding type of Gov. )

~~ Utah Explores Alternative Fuel Solutions

~~ Farmers Contribute to Economy: 1.5 Billion Eggs produced in Utah

~~ Patagonia Pays Bail for Arrested Protesters 

Who Wonders What "Industrial Tourism" Looks Like, and Why SJ Doesn't Want it?  

~~ What Happens When Wind Turbines Reach the End of their 20 Yr. Cycle?

~~ "Sustainable Development" Policies Work Against Beef Industry

"The term “Sustainable Development” was born on the pages of the 1987 United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development. It is basically the policy for the implementation of Agenda 21 which came along in 1992. The announced purpose of Agenda 21 was a “comprehensive blueprint for the reorganization of human society”.

~~ Encroaching Bans on Animal Products Threaten Food Producers

"Politicians want to tax farmers and ranchers for emissions and slap sin taxes on meat to encourage plant-based diets. Celebrities are spinning faux science into meatless propaganda in the name of compassion to animals and the planet."

~~ Last Resort?  When the Only Card You Know How to Play is "Racism"

~~ Cougar Sightings on the Rise in SW Utah; How to Protect Yourself 

~~ Fires in Central Utah; A Convenient Excuse, or Good Policy?

~~ Feral Horse Management Creates Crisis

~~ Bad Environmental Policy Causes Forest Fires

~~ From James Adaki's FB Page:

San Juan Commission Meeting/ Blanding Arts and Events Center. Oct. 1, 2019 -- Bear Essentials

San Juan County Commission Meeting in Blanding Oct. 1

Documents Updated at Commission meeting today

• 10-01-19.pdf - 9/27/19 4:37 PM
• San Juan Voting Resolution(1).pdf - 9/27/19 4:37 PM
• Mexican Hat SSD Letters.pdf - 9/27/19 4:38 PM
• 20191001 Commission Mtg.MP3 - 10/1/19 8:47 PM

  Only a small scattering of citizens attended the San Juan County Commission meeting held in Blanding today, Oct.1  Kudos to Mexican Hat, Bluff, Monticello, and Spanish Valley citizens who drove some distance to attend. Mayor Joe Lyman gave a welcome and brief background of the beginnings and goals of Blanding from 1905 to the present and how cooperation and involvement created a successful community. He specifically mentioned the tunnel/ water development, a college campus, and medical facilities.

A very interesting slide presentation given David Ure (Executive Director of SITLA) talked about SITLA lands, and PILT funds and the benefits to Utah and San Juan County. Each acre of public/SITLA land generates .86 cents each year, which is in turn distributed to counties by State law. State trust lands in Utah make up 1/9th of the state. Funds are also used for higher education, and other state institutions. Funds collected have been invested and the "endowment" continues to grow, now standing at $2.9 Billion. Each year students and schools benefit from the Endowment's growth. Some funds are also used to clean up graffiti and dump areas on public lands.

===========================================================

Agenda:

SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
ARTS & EVENTS CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM
576 W 200 S, Blanding, UT 84511
AGENDA
October 1, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Emergency Management Training for Elected Officials (Approx. 1 Hour) - Tammy Gallegos - San Juan County Emergency Manager
2. Presentation regarding PILT Funds, David Ure - SITLA Executive Director
3. Briefing about San Juan County's budget and preparation plan, John David Nielson - San Juan County Clerk
4. Briefing on Potential Property Tax Increases, John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
5. General Plan Update Discussion, Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
6. Public Lands Update Discussion - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 17 & 24, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the Board of San Juan County Commissioners* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. New Hires, Walter Bird - San Juan County Personnel
4. Ratify Approval of Notice to Residents Regarding Potential Property Tax Changes, John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
5. RESOLUTION OF APPOINTMENT OF A SAN JUAN COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE UTAH COUNTIES INDEMNITY POOL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Mack McDonald - San Juan County Administrator
6. Mexican Hat Special Service District Board Appointments, Mack McDonald - Sam Juan County Administrator 
7. Approval to Replace Windows in the Public Safety Building, Monty Perkins, SJC Maintenance

~~ Recording of Sept. 17 Special Commission Work Meeting

1. Executive Session to discuss pending or imminent litigation
2. Discussion and Possible Approval of a Settlement Agreement Regarding Attorney's Fees to be paid to the Plaintiffs in Navajo Nation et al v. San Juan County.

~~ Fast Facts Related to the Electoral College

~~ KUER Interviews to Increase Understanding: Featuring Cindy Black Perkins

"Cindy Perkins and her family have lived for five generations near Blanding, a community agitated by the designation of the Bears Ears National Monument in 2016. Jeremy Lynch moved to Moab to work with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. They met halfway in Monticello."

"What happens when two people of different backgrounds and beliefs sit down face-to-face and interview each other? This summer, Utah Public Radio has been recording these new StoryCorps-style interviews, from travels to the far corners of the state including Monticello, Moab, St. George, Cache Valley and Vernal. We now invite you to listen in on some of these thought-provoking small steps.
These conversations were recorded by Utah Public Radio in partnership with StoryCorps as a part of their One Small Step project. 

~~ Wrong Again!  50 Years of Failed Eco-pocalyptic Predictions

~~ Finding Addresses on the Navajo Reservation Can be Life Threatening

~~ San Juan to Pay 2.4 Million to Navajo Nation

~~ Charges of Racism Still Hovering Over County Politics

~~ Racism a Favored Theme for Commissioner Maryboy

Administrator for County on Agenda 5/7/2019 -- Controversy Continues

Concerns in the News

Citizenship in the U.S.: Why should it be Controversial for the Census?  

What the Left Gets Wrong About Racial Disparities

Bumper to Bumper in Moab  How many tourists are needed?

Moab City Manager Retires: Applies for Temp Job in SJC

Resignation of Kelly Pehrson: SJC Democratic Party Sets the Record Straight

 Spring Run-off at Cottonwood.  Photo by Jay Jones

~~ Spring Run Off in all Its Glory

~~Elizabeth Warren and Environmental Justice -- Bill Keshlear

~~Pod Cast with Ryan Benally, Member of Advisory Council for Bears Ears

~~ Shannon Brooks Responds to SL Tribune Adaki Letter

~~Political Donnybrook Continues to Plague San Juan County

~~2 Commissioners Try to Steam Roll Moab Leftist as County Administrator

~~County Administrator Resigns and Takes New Post

~~ Unelected Attorney from Durango, Appears to be Running County Commission

~~First Soros High Jacks Public Lands in the West, now the U.S. Census

~~ Even Capitol Press believes AP Spin on Bears Ears Advisory Council

~~~~~~

~~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

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    ~~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