The Muddled Male

By Bob Stevens,
The Muddled Male

Ann’s New Computer

             Ann, my wife, decided that she wanted a computer of her own.  Those of you who only know us in passing are probably thinking, "What's the big deal, Bob?  Lots of wives have computers.  Aren't you making a Mount Everest out of a teensy weensy mole hill?" But those of you who really know us know that this is a BIG DEAL in our family.  To misquote Neal Armstrong "This may be one small step for Ann, but it is one giant leap for the Muddled Male."  In fact, I am having to work exceptionally hard just to appear nonchalant while inside I am churning with uncontrollable glee over the opportunities I see rolling down the path before me.  

            Ann, you see, has always pooh-poohed the importance of technical gadgets as a means of making one's life complete.  I, on the other hand, have been known to sleep with my iPhone in my hand, my iPad under my pillow, my desktop cooing in the corner, and my laptop on and humming under the bed just in case I get an important call, text, or email in the middle of the night; or have an uncontrollable urge to surf, create, or type out some brilliant prose that came to me suddenly because I woke myself up snoring.  Re-reading this it suddenly strikes me that this may be the reason Ann has been sleeping on the couch instead of with me. 

            But if Ann is going “techy” there may be hope for me when the iPhone 5s or 6 comes out later this year.  Ordinarily I have to sneak down to the AT&T store to get a new phone under the cover of darkness and then try to disguise it to make Ann think that it is the same old phone I already had.  Ann’s desire to get a new computer, however, means that I can now just walk in boldly with the sun shining brightly on my bald spot and plunk down the $200 in pennies, nickels, and dimes that I have been squirreling away in my change jar for the glorious day that Apple will give me the privilege of standing in line all night just to place my name on the coveted “list for future orders” they keep on hand for Apple addicts.  In the meantime I am preparing myself to answer Ann’s always piercing question, “Why do you need a new phone?  What will the new one do that the old one won’t do just as well?” 

            Well this time I am prepared.  I will simply say that I need this new phone to retake my one-upmanship position back from Tom and Peni who each already have an iPhone 5 while I am left to fumble around with an antiquated iPhone 4s.  And besides, Ann, my wife, now has a laptop with a Windows 8 operating system with lots of bells and whistles while I am left to creep along with a 5-year old computer and Windows 7.  Life just isn’t fair.  Unless, that is, I can parlay Ann’s new computer into a brand new computer for me so that I don’t get too far behind as a result of being stuck using old technology. 

I’m afraid, however, that I just may be stuck with what I have.  Ann peeked over my shoulder as I was typing this and instead of offering sympathy, she callously said that I should just “man up” and stop whining.

 

Feds Cut Mineral Revenue To States

Utah to Lose $8.7M in Mineral Revenues: by Bonneville Research Sequester Costs Western States Millions in Mineral Revenue. The sequester will cost energy states tens of millions of dollars in mineral revenues, a move that has sparked anger - and surprise - among some state officials who say they should have been informed sooner. The U.S. Department of the Interior will shave about $110 million from monthly payments for oil, gas and coal production on federal lands, the department told 36 state treasurers in letters sent last Friday. Those cuts, amounting to about 5 percent of funds that totaled about $2.1 billion last year, will begin immediately and last at least through July. Hardest hit are Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Top 10 States Impacted by Mineral Payment Cuts (in millions of dollars) State Federal mineral lease payment 2012 Cuts in 2013 Wyoming $995.2 $53.1 New Mexico $488.2 $26 Utah $164.6 $8.7 Colorado $157.8 $8.4 California $111.6 $5.5 North Dakota $64.5 $3.2 Montana $47.3 $2.5 Nevada $26.8 $0.6 Alaska $16.6 $0.6 Louisiana $11.8 $0.35 Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Natural Resources Revenue

Bear Lake Sunset

Photo by Darrin Smith, Logan

Quaggas at Lake Powell

March 28, 2013

Attention Bearlakers! We want to make sure you have this official announcement from Lake Powell. "Fourteen widely dispersed adult quagga mussels were found attached to moored houseboats and dock structures. The mussels were alive, but too far apart to successfully reproduce."     With spring upon us and with ice still on Bear Lake, many of you are making plans to take advantage of the early warmth of Lake Powell or other points south. Please, please, please be cognizant of the risk that your water craft could be a carrier of these invaders (and for that matter - other unknown threats).   Make sure you not only clean the exterior of your boat, but be extra diligent of DRYING EVERYTHING that has been in contact with the water. Anchors and ropes have been found to be a common carrier. Plus, perhaps the more difficult place to unknowingly carry mussels, is in bilge and ballast water. Check with your boat manufacture to determine how you can in fact evacuate all water. The configuration of some boats don't completely pump out or drain all compartments.   We are very concerned with the Mussel Intervention Plans of both Utah and Idaho and are working to bring the states together for a single cooperative plan for Bear Lake. In our view, Bear Lake is not just another reservoir, it is a natural jewel that is highly treasured and should be as such. If you have ideas, suggestions or just comments on your experiences, please pass them on to us.   Claudia & David Cottle Executive Directors Bear Lake Watch, Inc. 2629 Hwy 89 Fish Haven, Idaho 83287 801-243-8980 - Claudia 208-530-0058 - David Working to keep Bear Lake "Clean, Deep and Blue"

Becoming a Farmer or Rancher Workshop

 

Utah State University Extension and USDA co-sponsor the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Workshop Friday, April 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the USU Eccles Conference Center on the Logan campus.

According to Kynda Curtis, USU Extension agricultural marketing specialist and conference organizer, the workshop is specially designed for students interested in a career in farming/ranching or agricultural industries; newer farmers/ranchers who currently direct market their products or plan to; next generation farmers/ranchers returning to the family farm and seeking new/alternative enterprises to enhance existing production.

This workshop is part of the Utah Building Farmers program, which provides participants a series of classes designed to help both newer and experienced farmers and food producers learn how to refine and enhance their business development, management and marketing skills to succeed in direct market outlets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture ventures and restaurants.

Workshop speakers are from academia, industry, and federal agencies and will discuss topics such as business planning and resources, finances and taxes, land acquisition and leasing, direct and target marketing, marketing through web-based and social network sites, obtaining credit, federal grant and loan programs, food safety and labeling, local branding programs and good agricultural practices.

Cost for the workshop is $20 and includes lunch, break food and program materials. Workshop cost for USU students is $10. For further information, contact Curtis at kynda.curtis@usu.edu or 435-797-0444. Registration may be completed online at: http://bfrw2013.eventbrite.com.

Kynda R. Curtis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Applied Economics
Utah State University

4835 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-4835
Phone: 435-797-0444
Fax: 435-797-0402

kynda.curtis@usu.edu

So Much Happening At The Library!

LIBRARY TREE CORNER

The Garden City Library strives to have the latest and popular books and DVD’s on its shelves. Just this week I read Jeffrey S. Savage’s murder mystery: Dark Memories.

The story takes place in the small Colorado town of Twin Falls, Colorado, in 1977, where six children on a school picnic get lost in the abandoned Seven Star Gold Mine. Only 5 are found.  Frankie was lost forever. The mine shaft was blasted shut. The children never told anyone what really happened in the mine.

Twin Falls 2011, 34 years later, Police Chief Cal Hunt is mourning the death of his wife and now has to investigate the murder of Amanda Porter then Ezra Rucker.  They were children lost in the mine. Who was killing them? Was it Frankie?  His ghost had been seen. Was it Frankie’s mother, Esther Zoeller?  Chief Hunt, haunted by the fact that he could have saved his wife, is determined to save the people who were in the mine.  Dark Memories is a quick moving story that keeps you guessing and wondering who the murderer is and who is going to be murdered next.  All are saved from the haunting memories with the fight against true evil found in that dark mine. 

A delightful children’s chapter book for 6-8 year olds is Mercy Watson Something Wonky This Way Comes written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. The illustrations were done in gouache with bright, cheerful colors.

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson are going to the movies with their pet pig, Mercy.  The movie is “When Pigs Fly.” Is the movie about pigs or is it a romance? At the movies they let Mercy in because she is a porcine wonder. The smell of butter is too much for Mercy and she begins eating everyone’s popcorn. The chase begins with the police officer,  Tomilello, Animal Control Officer, Francine Poulet and many others trying to catch the popcorn stealing pig.

This book is written in a rhythmic way making it an enjoyable read for young readers. It is well illustrated with Eugenia Lincoln’s grumpy face and bluish hair, Leroy Nicker’s cowboy look and with Officer Tomiello’s scowl when looking at Mercy, the troublesome pig. Of course, Mercy is illustrated as a cute, happy pig because no matter what trouble she gets in she is loved by Mr. and Mrs. Watson.

Up and Coming Events:

·         Our annual Rummage Sale will be June 21^st-22^nd. Start saving gently used items. More information will follow.

·         Our theme for our summer program is “Dig Into Reading.” Sign-ups will start May 1^st at the library. Summer Reading Program begins June 3^rd.

 

 

Garden City Fire Board Meeting Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. March 21, 2013.  There are three more class periods for the Firefighter I Class.  When it is finished, classes in Hazmat Awareness and Operations will be taught.  There are 14 out of 20 in the current class who will be taking the skills test.  Fifteen will be taking the written exam.  Eight individuals from Garden City will be taking both the written and skills tests. 

Samples and proposals for the Fire District web site have been received.  The Board decided that it would be best to have a local person keep the web site current.  It was moved and seconded to accept the bid from a local individual. 

Board members had gone over the employee contract with Chief Kurek.  There were some minor changes, but all felt it was a good contract.  A motion was made and carried to add this contract to the Policies and Procedures manual. 

According to the current Policies and Procedures, any comp time that has been earned by Chief Kurek prior to the end of three months (a quarter of the year) must be cancelled if it hasn’t been used.  Chief Kurek has been teaching the Firefighter I Class which consumes eight teaching hours each week in addition to all the preparation time.  In addition, a grant became available that would be very beneficial to the District.  Kurek put in many hours working to get a new truck, sell an old one, write the grant, and meet the deadline.  Ben Negus and Christina Gracey determined that any hours not used by Chief Kurek by the end of March should be zeroed out.  Terry Allen, Randall Knight, and Travis Hobbs felt that a month leeway should be allowed since so many hours were used so close to the end of the first quarter. 

The new 2013 UFRA grant is due April 14.  Chief Kurek asked that he request wild land gear, shelters, and possibly some more radios in the grant.  The Board agreed with this suggestion. 

The pump on truck Brush 40 needs to be replaced.  Chief Kurek requested that the pump currently on Brush 40 be repaired and placed on Tender 40, and a new pump be purchased to be placed on Brush 40.  The new pump will cost about $4,800 to do this.  The current pump to be placed on Tender 40 is a rather small pump but would work very well for parameter protection.  A new wild land pump, however, is essential.  The Board approved this suggestion.  

Brush  Truck 41 had a bad battery.  The battery was traded in for a new one, and this truck now seems to be working fine. 

CDL driver’s license is not required for tender drivers.  However, it would be to the benefit of everyone if the drivers were thus certified.  There are costs involved in getting this CDL license.  There is a $45 medical physical, $60 testing fee, $20 endorsement fee, and $75 driving test fee.  The Board felt it shouldn’t be required of all firefighters, but that the firefighters be encouraged to get this license.  The motion was made that the Fire District pay 50 percent of the license fees excepting the medical physical.  This would be for the Class A combination CDL license and tank endorsement.  The individual must pass and be in good standing in the Department.  The individuals must also remain with the department for one year after obtaining the endorsement.  The Department will do this one time only per person. 

Chief Kurek requested that three pass devices be purchased to repair equipment that aren’t working properly.  Permission was given. 

Responses this month included three business inspections, three short term rental inspections, one medical call, and one county call.

The Department needs to begin getting new radios.  It would probably be a good idea to budget for about two a year. 

The Board will hold a workshop in April to work on several policies. 

Chief Kurek was requested to stop doing short term rental inspections until he is told whether the city and district are going to have a commercial or residential inspection.  Currently, these inspections are being done for free.  A fee should be charged.  In order to charge a fee, a public hearing will need to be held. 

 

 

Rich School Board Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times                 

RANDOLPH, Utah. March 20, 2013.  All parents of students attending Rich County Schools were sent three alternative calendars for next school year.  Mr. Kip Motta reported that the majority giving feedback on the suggested calendars preferred calendar A.  Mr. Larsen also reported that those responding to him had also selected calendar A.    A motion made and passed by the Board to accept calendar A for the coming school year. 

Superintendent Dale Lamborn met with a committee representing all classified personnel.  They made changes from days to hours in Section 700 of their policies.  Since Rich County Schools have been using a four-day work week, no comparisons can be made to others schools.  The word “contract” was also removed and exchanged for “term of employment.”  No major policy changes were made.  A motion was made and passed to accept the changes that were made. 

The Cyber Bullying Policy was discussed at the last meeting.  This policy is significant and different from most of the policies.  It deals with the students whether they are at school, on the busses, or participating in the social media area.  The law requires schools to become involved even if it seems to spill over into student home life.  This issue must be addressed.  A speaker is going to be brought in to talk with the teachers and students about bullying, but the policy needs to be in place prior to that activity.  The Board ratified this policy No. 302. 

Alisa Petersen was selected to the All State Girls First Basket Ball Team. 

The state legislature funded Bridgerland enough that they can increase their program and give some raises to their employees. 

The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, April 16..

School Funding This Legislative Session

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

 

RANDOLPH, Utah. March 20, 2013.  Superintendent Dale Lamborn reported on legislative activity dealing with school issues.  He reported that schools were given a 2 percent increase.  However, schools had requested a separate line item for both Social Security and insurance.  This was not granted.  As a result, 1.7 percent of the 2 percent raise goes to Social Security and even more than that will be required for health care. 

The equalization bill was not voted on this session.

A bill concerned with grading or rating various schools was passed.  The previous bill only dealt with passing and growth rates.    It has only been place for this school year. The new bill uses growth rates, passing rates, as well as student progress.   The previous bill was not voided.  The two different bills do not mesh which is going to be very confusing to everyone looking at the various scores that will result since both bills will have to be used.  The state school office is trying to get the governor to veto this new bill until a better way to handle this area is written.  The District will just have to wait and see how this plays out. 

A change was made concerning classified employees.  In the past part-time employees were not given benefits if they worked less than 20 hours.  The bill puts the number of hours at 30 hours before benefits are required.  

 

 

Spirit Team Evaluation

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah. March 20, 2013.  The current school year has had a pilot program where the cheerleaders and drill team members have been folded into one group of 14 girls.  The Board asked Mr. Larsen and the coaches of this group how this year had gone and what they would recommend for the next school year.

The coaches indicated that they felt there was more work and more stress in working with these students than when they were two separate groups.  It took more of their own personal time and greater effort on their part.  They, however, felt that the group had done well.  They suggested that the coaches be given more compensation for this activity; and with a year behind them, some fine tuning and changes could be made that would make it easier to handle.   They recommended that perhaps another year for this program would be good.  Next year at this time, this program could again be looked at for a final decision. 

Principal Larsen indicated that he felt there were fewer issues when the two groups had been combined.  There was less competition among the individuals and much greater cooperation.  He noticed there appeared to be more enthusiasm and spirit among the members of the whole student body.  He also felt it was much easier to manage one group. 

He recommended that they keep the one group and was in favor of the combination that had been made.  He reported that they had come in fifth in the state competitions and felt they had done very well for their first year.  He noted that several of the individuals in the group this year were there for the first time and had had a steep learning curve.  Next year should be easier because there will be fewer new individuals in the group. 

The Board decided to continue this program as is for the next year.  They indicated that they would like to look into the request of additional pay at a later time.

 

 

Spring/Summer Sports Schedule & Cost

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

 

RANDOLPH, Utah, March 20 2013.  Principal Kip Motta presented to the School Board the spring and summer activity schedule for the next few months for the elementary and middle school.  He noted that spring basketball for the sixth and seventh graders will be held each day in the gym from 3:30 until 5:10 p.m.  There will be no charge, and the students will be able to ride the activity bus to get home. 

Summer football will be held during July and August for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade boys.  It will be on each Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m.  There will be no charge, but students will need to provide their own transportation to and from the activity. 

Coach Brown presented some high school basketball activities but no specific dates have been set.  The team usually plays Evanston at a cost of $250 per team and Logan at $300 per team.  Games are also held with Bear Lake, Kemmerer, and sometimes other high schools for the cost of the officials.  There are also several university camps available and are usually more expensive and run about $300 per student.  Sometimes the participants must also provide their own place to stay. 

The high school football team will play University 7 on 7 at a cost of $200 per team.  They will also play the High School 7 on 7 for $100 per team. 

The District will be holding a tournament for the seventh and eighth grades at $150.00 per team. 

Students can work on weights three days a week.  There will be basketball one or two days a week after weights. 

Mr. Larsen noted that the girls’ basketball team will attend Heaton’s Camp.  The cost will be $60 for High School girls and $30 for elementary and middle school age girls.   They will also be attending the Weber State Jamboree I and II.  The cost will have to be paid by the individual girls, but a school car will be used for their transportation. 

There will wrestling during April, May, and perhaps into the summer.  Mats will be available on Wednesdays.  There will be a couple of matches on Thursday nights–at least two, one with Cokeville and one with Evanston.  There will be a summer camp at the Black Hawk location in Salina, Utah.  It will be for four days and cost $45 per person.   The head coach from the Wyoming Cowboys will be at the Majestic Ranch sponsoring a meet.  The request has been made to use the District’s mats and will give our 17 and 18 year old students a discount if they participate. 

The golf schedule is every Friday.  Monday, May 6, will be the regional tournament; and the State tournament will be Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14 and 15. 

The track team will use Evanston’s track on Thursday nights.  This will give them experience on that track. 

Motion was made by the Board to approve the golf and track schedules for 2013. 

Large School Maintenance Projects Planned

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah, March 20, 2013. The summer maintenance list was discussed.  Mr. Earley noted that he had more than one bid for most of the projects that will be considered for completion this coming summer. 

Rich Middle and Elementary School needs a new fire alarm system.  The first bid to be received included an intercom system as well as the fire system.  It costs $34,620.  The second bid should arrive on Friday in the amount of $19,880.  The bid that is not yet in will probably be the one selected for this project. 

The doors and windows on the south end of Rich Elementary allow too much leakage and need repair.  The school will probably go with the bid from Bountiful Glass for $29,600. 

The School District is going to install a card security system at the Randolph facility because there are five doors that currently must be left unlocked. The bid for this project is approximately $20,000.  This means that all doors to the school will be locked.  Students will have cards that will give them access only during school times.  The security at the Randolph facility is more difficult to maintain because of the high school sharing the library, the seminary building, and so forth. The middle school and elementary in Laketown can keep their doors locked except the one going past the office where someone is almost always in attendance thereby making any changes there unnecessary.

 

Carpet will be installed in the hallways, office, and band room of the Rich High School at a cost of $25,180.

The current lift owned by the school needs to be replaced.  There is siding that will be put on the west side of the wrestling room, light replacements, tile installation, painting, cleaning of windows and blinds, and so forth.  All require the use of a lift.  It was determined that the District would buy a second hand scissor lift to handle these jobs.  It was noted that the cost of this equipment will be somewhere between $6,500 and $13,000.  This new lift will not only be easier to use, but will be much more efficient and able to handle several jobs that the current lift cannot do. 

The hallways in the Randolph Elementary are very cold during the winter because the old radiant heaters were removed when the school converted to another heating system.  New roof mount heaters will be placed by the doorways and where the halls intersect resulting in a warm and pleasant atmosphere.  

There are some additional projects that will be worked on this summer.  There is currently no hot water in either of the locker rooms in Randolph Elementary.  The cement by the front door as well as at the south end of the building where the busses let off their students needs repair as well. 

The total for summer maintenance is about $142,173.  The Board made and passed a motion giving permission for this work to proceed.