January Gatherings: Snow Storms and Referendum Signatures

Happenings Across the West

 ~~ Contact Logan Monson to sign Tax Referendum (158 S 200 E Blanding) Bring ID

       For More Information

~~ Commission Meeting January 7 in Monticello

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of Minutes December 17, 2019
2. Citizens comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Ordinance Adopting the 2020 Annual Commission Meeting Schedule
4. Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Emergency Manager
5. Contract Amendment to Aging Waiver Budget Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
6. Letter of Thanks for Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
7. Grand Water and Sewer Service District Board Appointment Approval Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
8. Beer License Renewals John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
9. 2020 Commission Assignments
10. Commission Reports

~~ Doomers vs. Boomers: Generational Fear, Angst and Loathing  by Jim Stiles

~~ Garkane Energy Cooperative Returns $1,100,000 to its members

~~ Commission Meetings in Garfield County/ What's Up

~~ Fifty Years ago on the Navajo Reservation  -Navajo Times Dec. 31

~~ 2019 in Review: Despite Negativity, US Economy Best in 50 years

~~ President Trump Signs Bill to Protect the Navajo Language

~~ BLM Funds Five Year Watershed Restoration Project

~~ Utah Groups Push Referendum on Tax Reform Law 

~~A Spoof on Vegan Diets and Climate Change

~~ History of Voting Districts in San Juan County by former County Clerk Gail Johnson

~~ Western Governors Association Forcing Urban Values on Rural West

~~ A Sea of Change in San Juan County: Government Gone Sour

*Part 1: Rule by resolution.  Kenneth Maryboy and Willie Grayeyes took their oaths of office as commissioners a little over a year ago after what was described as a “historic” election. They immediately staked their claim to power by choosing to govern primarily through resolutions written by their longtime private attorney and approved without advice or informed consent of virtually anyone in the county.

*Part 2: The Power of Non-Profit Organizations in County Politics: Bill Keshlear
"It’s hard to overstate the influence Utah Diné Bikéyah and its national allies have had in advocating for Native American interests connected with use and management of public lands in southeastern Utah." In its campaign to create Bears Ears National Monument, the organization succeeded in a way that eventually took a presidential election and proclamation to derail it.
     The advocacy organization based in Salt Lake City has a staff of eight and an estimated 50 volunteers, according the latest IRS Form 990. It has assumed a visible lead in the national initiative to create Bears Ears National Monument.
     Part of that success is directly attributable to its ability to tap funding sources outside of San Juan County and even Utah.
     The organization had revenues of $1,281,371 in 2017 — all but $45,847 came from grants and contributions. Total revenue since UDB began reporting to the IRS beginning in 2014 is $2,656,931.
     UDB and its allies give voice to a historically marginalized group of Americans. Ironically, voices of hundreds of Utah Navajos, unaffiliated with the nonprofits, have been muted in the multimillion-dollar, multiyear national political campaign.  Though supposedly conducted on their behalf to create a sacred sanctuary to protect artifacts of indigenous peoples; it has instead focused on becoming a playground for tourists, rock climbers, mountain bikers and ATV riders.

     In another strange twist, Attorney Kendall Laws wanted a legal firewall to protect the county, if the new commissioners crossed an ethical or legal line. And that’s what he got.
     In an effort to oust him from office, the scheme was deemed “unlawful” and “unconstitutional” and was tabled. Both Grayeyes and District 1 Commissioner Bruce Adams voted in favor of this action; Maryboy abstained and expressed his disappointment.

  *Part 3:  Stonewalling Gramma Requests/ Commissioners Fail to Comply

~~ December 31, 2016:  Anniversary of Bob Weaver's Tragic Death

   "The case of Bob Weaver is not the first account in which military-style home raids, over-the-top interrogations, and cruel threats from federal agents have led to the deaths of decent, law-abiding citizens. On the morning of June 10, 2009, 140 BLM and FBI agents dressed in body armor and armed with automatic weapons, arrived in dozens of SUVS and stormed into the small town of Blanding, Utah, raiding the homes of more than 20 local citizens. "   

~~  Far-left Groups Trying to stop Restoration Efforts GSNM --opinion

Political Cartoon by Jack AHasteen Begay, Navajo Times 12/19/19

~~ Winter is a Good Time to Think about Global Warming and get the facts straight. 

San Juan Winter 2019: Welcome to A Wet White Global Cooling

Wrapping up 2019

~~Dividing Rage from Reason: Impeachment 2019 style

Ornaments made by Montezuma Creek Students, Teacher Georgiana Simpson; Photo by Kate Groezinger

~~ Hand Painted Christmas Ornaments from SJC Sent to White House

~~ Congratulations to  Ryan Benally and Gen Mitchell who were married Dec. 20 in SLC by Gov. Herbert~~Two wonderful San Juan County Citizens! 

~~ Gov. May Ramp up Domestic Uranium; Positive Impact on White Mesa Mill

~~ "Go West, BLM, Go West" -- Will Congress let it Happen?

   "The BLM personnel will be moved where they will have a greater impact on, and input by, the people who live in the regions where their influence is greatest. Not by bureaucrats from thousands of miles away.” — Rep. Rob Bishop

~~ Utah Task Force Looks at 2020 Bill to Combat Violence on Reservation

~~ Utah’s taxpayers and grassroots organizations are at odds with the Utah Legislature

Locally: Logan Monson spearheading Signature Collection for 2019 tax referendum. "We should have packets to start collecting signatures by the end of the week. We will hold events for people to come and sign. I will keep everyone that is interested posted."   Check Save the Bears Ears for info. 

~~BLM Seeks Input on Northern Corridor in SW Utah 

~~ Millenial Looks at US Prosperity through Conservative Eyes. (Fact checked on Snopes) 

“I’m sitting in a small coffee shop near Nokomis trying to think of what to write about. I scroll through my newsfeed on my phone looking at the latest headlines of Democratic candidates calling for policies to “fix” the so-called injustices of capitalism.

I put my phone down and continue to look around. I see people talking freely, working on their MacBook’s, ordering food they get in an instant, seeing cars go by outside, and it dawned on me.

We live in the most privileged time in the most prosperous nation and we’ve become completely blind to it. Vehicles, food, technology, freedom to associate with whom we choose. These things are so ingrained in our American way of life we don’t give them a second thought. We are so well off here in the United States that our poverty line begins 31 times above the global average. Thirty. One. Times.

Virtually no one in the United States is considered poor by global standards. Yet, in a time where we can order a product off Amazon with one click and have it at our doorstep the next day, we are unappreciative, unsatisfied, and ungrateful.

Our unappreciation is evident as the popularity of socialist policies among my generation continues to grow. Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently said to Newsweek talking about the millennial generation, “An entire generation, which is now becoming one of the largest electorates in America, came of age and never saw American prosperity.”

Never saw American prosperity. Let that sink in. When I first read that statement, I thought to myself, that was quite literally the most entitled and factually illiterate thing I’ve ever heard in my 26 years on this earth. Now, I’m not attributing Miss Ocasio-Cortez’s words to outright dishonesty. I do think she whole-heartedly believes the words she said to be true. Many young people agree with her, which is entirely misguided. My generation is being indoctrinated by a mainstream narrative to actually believe we have never seen prosperity. I know this first hand, I went to college, let’s just say I didn’t have the popular opinion, but I digress.

Let me lay down some universal truths really quick. The United States of America has lifted more people out of abject poverty, spread more freedom and democracy, and has created more innovation in technology and medicine than any other nation in human history. Not only that but our citizenry continually breaks world records with charitable donations, the rags to riches story is not only possible in America but not uncommon, we have the strongest purchasing power on earth, and we encompass 25% of the world’s GDP.

The list goes on. However, these universal truths don’t matter. We are told that income inequality is an existential crisis (even though this is not an indicator of prosperity, some of the poorest countries in the world have low-income inequality), we are told that we are oppressed by capitalism (even though it’s brought about more freedom and wealth to the most people than any other system in world history), we are told that the only way we will acquire the benefits of true prosperity is through socialism and centralization of federal power (even though history has proven time and again this only brings tyranny and suffering).

Why then, with all of the overwhelming evidence around us, evidence that I can even see sitting at a coffee shop, do we not view this as prosperity?

We have people who are dying to get into our country. People around the world destitute and truly impoverished. Yet, we have a young generation convinced they’ve never seen prosperity, and as a result, elect politicians dead set on taking steps towards abolishing capitalism. Why?

The answer is this, my generation has ONLY seen prosperity. We have no contrast. We didn’t live in the great depression, or live through two world wars, or see the rise and fall of socialism and communism. We don’t know what it’s like not to live without the internet, without cars, without smartphones. We don’t have a lack of prosperity problem. We have an entitlement problem, an ungratefulness problem, and it’s spreading like a plague.

With the current political climate giving rise to the misguided idea of a socialist utopia, will we see the light? Or will we have to lose it all to realize that what we have now is true prosperity? Destroying the free market will undo what millions of people have died to achieve.

My generation is becoming the largest voting bloc in the country. We have an opportunity to continue to propel us forward with the gifts capitalism and democracy has given us. The other option is that we can fall into the trap of entitlement and relapse into restrictive socialist destitution. The choice doesn’t seem too hard, does it?”

- Alyssa Ahlgren

~~ 2020 county budget includes tax increase

~~  How Utah's Tax Restructuring Affects Rural Utah by Rep. Phil Lyman

~~ Salt Lake "Non Profit" Tribune Identifies SJC Commision as "Citizen? of the Year.  

"Methinks Tribune editors or whomever wrote the nomination know little to nothing about the mayhem caused by commissioners Maryboy and Grayeyes during their short time in office: nothing about their GRAMA stonewalling, their flouting of Utah's open meetings law, their petty insults targeting constituents, their unsubstantiated and unabashed charges of racism and religious bigotry leveled at political opponents, their use of a personal attorney to conduct county business behind closed doors, their egregious conflicts of interest (Do they represent the Navajo Nation, Utah Dine Bikeyah and its allies in creation of Bears Ears National Monument and expansion of trial sovereignty or all residents of San Juan County?), their grossly incompetent, uninformed, even malicious management of county staff, planning and budgeting, and their giving the old Bronx Cheer to citizen advisers."  Bill Keshlear

~~ Have Opinions about Pipeline from Lake Powell to St. George?  Let your voice be heard.

~~ Highway between Monticello and Blanding:"Hotspot  for Wildlife Collisions

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

Recommended Reading for a Long Winter's Night

~~   The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming and Environmentalism

by 

Christopher C. Horner

3.96  ·   Rating details ·  566 ratings  ·  60 reviews  (On Goodreads)

Global warming: The Left's last best chance to gain a stranglehold on our political system and economy

For decades, environmentalism has been the Left's best excuse for increasing government control over our actions in ways both large and small. It's for Mother Earth! It's for the children! It's for the whales! But until now, the doomsday-scenario environmental scares they've trumped up haven't been large enough to justify the lifestyle restrictions they want to impose. With global warming, however, greenhouse gasbags can argue that auto emissions in Ohio threaten people in Paris, and that only "global governance" (Jacques Chirac's words) can tackle such problems.

Now, in The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Global Warming and Environmentalism, Christopher C. Horner tears the cover off the Left's manipulation of environmental issues for political purposes--and lays out incontrovertible evidence for the fact that catastrophic man-made global warming is just more Chicken-Little hysteria, not actual science. He explains why, although Al Gore and his cronies among the media elites and UN globalists endlessly bleat that "global warming" is an unprecedented global crisis, they really think of it as a dream come true. It's the ideal scare campaign for those who hate capitalism and love big government. For, as Horner explains, if global warming really were as bad as the Leftist doomsayers insist it is, then no policy imaginable could "solve" it. According to the logic of the greens' own numbers, no matter how much we sacrifice there would still be more to do. That makes global warming the bottomless well of excuses for the relentless growth of big government.

Horner (an attorney and senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute) reveals the full anti-American, anti-capitalist, and anti-human agenda of today's environmentalists, dubbing them "green on the outside, red to the core." He details how they use strong-arm legal tactics--and worse--against those who dare to point out the weakness of their arguments for global warming. Along the way, he explodes ten top global warming myths, carefully examining the evidence to determine how much warming there really is and what is actually causing it. He exposes the lies that the environmental lobby routinely tells to make its case; the ways in which it is trying to impose initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol on an unwilling American public; and much more--including the green lobby's favorite politicians (John Kerry, John McCain, Joe Lieberman, and others).

It's time to stand up to the environmentalist industry and insist: human beings are not the enemy. In breezy, light-hearted, and always entertaining fashion, The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Global Warming and Environmentalism gives you the facts you need .  (a CD set of this book is available at the San Juan County Library or order on Amazon. )

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

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

Citizens Invited to Attend

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

 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:

Halloween 2019 Brings More Tricks, Fewer Treats Oct. 31, 2019

What's New In the West and San Juan County

~~ Concerns regarding Nov. 5 vote:  "Illegal electioneering is a class A misdemeanor and SJC election administrator should be scrupulously neutral."

Better get out and vote "Yes" before Nov. 5 
or you'll have yet another thing to complain about!

~~ Questions Arise Over Nov. Ballot Follow up by San Juan Record 10/28/19

~~ Solutions for Wild Mustangs? Japan and Mexico may Have the Answer  

~~ Utah Fire Fighters Head to California

~~ Nov. 5 Commission meeting Agenda

SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA
November 5, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. USU Extension Update / Personnel - Paige Wray, USU Extension Agent/County Director
2. Halls Crossing - Cal Black Airport Capital Improvement Plan - Kirk Nielson, Javiation
3. Halls Crossing - Cal Black Airport Development  Opportunities Discussion - Natalie Randall, San Juan County Economic Development and Visitors Services Director
4. Briefing on Proposed Zoning Ordinances and the Spanish Valley Land Use Status - Walter Bird, San Juan County Planning and Zoning Director
5. Aging Contract - Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
6. County Health Insurance Renewal increase - John Fellmeth, San Juan County IT Director/Deputy Auditor
7. Y.E.S. for Dine Bikeyah Sponsorship for the Naatsisaan Ultra and Monument Valley Kids Marathon - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
8. Eastern Utah Television and Technology Association Board Member Assignment - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
9. South Eastern Utah Regional Transportation Plan Cooperative Agreement - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
10. Letter to Bureau of Land Management Concerning La Sal 2 Well APD - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
11. Spanish Valley Updates - Jerry McNeely, San Juan County Liaison
12. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County 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. Board of Equalization Adjustments - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
4. Aging Contract for Approval - Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
5. New Hires - Walter Bird, San Juan County Human Resources Director
6. USU Dinosaur Museum Partnership Support Letter - Natalie Randall, San Juan County Economic Development and Visitor Services Director
7. Approve and Execute County Health Insurance Renewal Increase - John Fellmeth, San Juan County IT Director/Deputy Auditor
8. Letter to Bureau of Land Management Concerning La Sal 2 Well APD - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
9. Federal Partners Appreciation Letters - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
10. Ratify Purchase of John Deere Articulated Dump Truck - Randy Rarick, San Juan County Landfill Manager
11. Approve and Execute South Eastern Utah Regional Transportation Plan Cooperative Agreement - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
12. Y.E.S. for Dine Bikeyah Sponsorship of the Naatsisaan Ultra and Monument Valley Kids Marathon - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
13. A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN AND OPPOSITION OF THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPROVE THE SPANISH VALLEY AGGREGATE AND HOT MIX ASPHALT PLANT WITHIN SAN JUAN COUNTY
14. 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

~~ Senator Lee Makes Case for State Control of Public Lands

   “States like Utah have a proven track record of successful partnerships with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management,” Lee said. “These partnerships have resulted in the restoration of millions of acres of high priority watersheds, wildlife habitat and rangelands. We need to continue to expand and encourage these kinds of efforts to allow states to step up and lead.”

Curtis said there are a “disproportionate” amount of public lands in the Western states and that the dialogue in Washington, D.C. often excludes the downfalls, such as a lack of property tax generated by those lands (often the main source of revenue for local governments) and a limited ability for economic development to take place. He called the situation “divisive,” and said the federal government is failing to adequately fund management of those lands, citing “two BLM agents in San Juan County, managing that entire area” as an example of where federal management has fallen short."

~~ Live Press Overview of this week's San Juan Record 

~~ Utah Company Awarded Timber Contract in La Sals

~~ A Letter in Favor of Better Government in San Juan County (SL Trib)

    Comments Regarding this letter were most Uncivil, yet the  SL Tribune blinks an eye, despite their policy:  

"The Tribune moderates comments to ensure the conversation is respectful and on topic. We do not allow comments that include personal attacks, threats, obscenity, vulgarity, profanity (including expletives and letters followed by characters), commercial promotion, spam, fake profiles, multiple accounts, incoherence and shouting.

"In addition, a comment may be removed if it is deemed to be uncivil, inappropriate, racist, sexist, homophobic, bigoted, blatant “trolling” or is not related to the topic at hand. While moderation decisions are subjective, our moderators try to be as consistent as possible. Generally, we will not allow comments to become bogged down with discussions of our moderation policy and activity.

"We encourage opinions and criticisms of our work; however, those criticisms must relate to the articles in question. Personal attacks against Tribune staff will not be permitted.

"The Tribune does not edit comments but it may respond to comments that contain factual inaccuracies."

~~ Nat'l Park Maintenance Falls Far Behind Needs

~~ Latest from the Sierra Club 

~~ Goats in the LaSals Get Grand Canyon Trust's Goat