Sun Dogs On The Lake

Photo by Jennifer Cassillas

Noteworthy On Valentines Day

February 14, 2015 7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Allenger Community Theater- Monpelier, Idaho

Come spend your Valentine's Day evening with BYU Noteworthy, the more feminine version of Vocal Point!!

BYU's newest travelling acapella ensemble, Noteworthy, comes with an impressive 10 year history and an amazing resume. Giving Vocal Point a run for their money, Noteworthy contains nine female members whose voices deliver a power packed concert that combines vocal percussion, humor and a tight harmony style that's all their own. Noteworthy has appeared on NBC's hit television show, "The Sing-Off," and have also been crowned the International Championship of Collegiate Acapella (ICCA) champions in 2007.

This event will be held at the Bear Lake Middle School. Premium reserved seats are $16 for adults, $12 for youth tickets ages 8-17, and $8 for children tickets ages 7 & under. Standard reserved seats are $14 for adults, $10 for youth, and $6 for children.  Buy tickets here. 

Doors open at 7:00 PM. Show starts at 7:30 PM.

Rich Rebels Beat Westside

Rich Rebel Cheerleaders
Photo by Tammy Calder

Rich Rebels Seniors before Westside game.  Win at 66-53

Rich Rebel JV beats Westside Pirates 61-39

Rich Rebels Freshman beat Westside 50-29
Photos by Tammy Calder
 

Water Levels At The Lake

January Water Supply

by David Cottle, Bear Lake Watch

While it is still very early to “guestimate” what’ll happen to Bear Lake water levels this year, The first of the water supply briefings is out from NOOA. The data and forcast are very interesting.

Last year

2014 was the 3^rd warmest year on record for Utah with the Salt Lake area being 2 to 3 degrees above normal and the Bear Lake area 1 to 2 degrees above. Precipitation showed an interesting divergence with the Salt Lake area recording 3 to 4.5 inches less than normal but Bear Lake recording 4.5 to 7.5 inches above normal precipitation. 

This water year

The ”water year”, measured from Oct 1^st to Sept 30^th started with October precipitation in the Bear River area in the 50 to 70% of normal range, while the rest of Utah substantially less than that. November precip increased enough that the Bear River basin was in the 90 to 110% range. December precip showed a good shift toward wetter statewide but the Bear River area only inched up to 110 to 130% of normal range. Most of the December precip was rain because average temperatures were 5 to 7 degrees above normal.

What does all of this do to snowpack? As of January 7^th, the snowpack in the Bear River drainage is 100% of normal. The caveat is that the high elevation snowpack is above normal and there is very little low level and mid-level snow. There is very little measurable snow on the ground around Bear Lake.

What does that portend for Bear Lake? The forecast is for 85% of normal stream flows. But it’s really too early to tell.

As of January 1^st, the elevation of Bear Lake is 5,912.60 ft. (UP&L datum), up 6 inches from last year’s low elevation and the flow into the lake was 175 cfs which is quite good for this time of year.

In order for Bear Lake is to come up very much, we need lots more snow and/or a very cool wet spring!

The Chocolate Bear is open all winter, support our local businesses that stay open all year round to serve us!
Photo by Lauriann Wakefield

Safety Tips For Winter Recreation

UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FORESTS REMIND RECREATIONISTS TO BE SAFE THIS WINTER

Salt Lake City, Utah, January 29, 2015 – Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest officials would like to remind all winter recreationists to have a safe, fun-filled season and to be extra careful while out in the woods. Snowmobilers, skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, fat bike riders, and dog sleds all share the same trails. So remember to respect each other’s rights to enjoy their recreation activity of choice.

Be informed about avalanche dangers. Carry safety equipment such as avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes. Take an avalanche awareness class. For the latest avalanche conditions you can go to www.utahavalanchecenter.org, or UACWasatch, #utavy, or call 888-999-4019.

Snowmobile users should always use proper trail etiquette. Obey all trail signs. Slow down when meeting other users and oncoming snowmobile traffic. Stop before crossing highways. Stay to the right on curves and slow down. Make sure your snowmobile is legally registered. Never snowmobile in wilderness areas. Make sure you are riding on trails, roads, or areas that are open to snowmobiles. Maps are available to identify routes open to motorized and non-motorized uses. These routes do not include adjacent, surrounding lands, or private property. Please leave gates open or closed, as you found them. Respect private property. You can pick up Winter Travel Maps at local Forest Service offices that will show you what trails, roads and areas are open for snowmobile use.

Skiers and snowshoers should always move to the side of the trail or just off the trail when you hear snowmobilers approaching. Please do not insist on the right-of-way, you are no match for a snowmobile. Remember you are responsible for your own safety.
Here are a few safety tips to practice this winter:
• Call ahead for current conditions
• Make sure your vehicle is in good operating condition and contains an adequate level of fuel
and have properly fitting tire chains and know how to install them
• Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member
• Never travel alone and take along your cell phone and a map
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
• Always carry extra clothing, food, water, flashlight, first aid kit, matches, and a small shovel
• If you become injured or lost, stay calm and seek shelter from the elements, but do not stray from your planned route.

BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING! Always stay alert on trails, know your limits for whatever form of winter recreation you choose to enjoy. Respect the rights of other users and the national forest you are recreating on.

Herald Journal Article About Bear Lake Access

Bear Lakers raise issues over Rep. Curt Webb’s access bill

By Kevin Opsahl | Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2015 12:00 am  Herald Journal
 

Residents, Garden City officials and others debated the “paradigm shift” between restrictive access and open access to Bear Lake in a conference call on Saturday with Rep. Curt Webb, R-Providence, who is sponsoring a bill in the 2015 legislative session changing the way residents and tourists can use the lake.

HB140, “Sovereign Lands around Bear Lake,” says that a person is guilty of an infraction if they drive within 100 feet of the water’s edge unless they’re launching or retrieving a vessel, transporting an individual with limited mobility or depositing and retrieving equipment to a beach site.

Garden City Mayor John Spuhler and several residents on the call, including local business owners, worried that Webb’s bill would legitimize problems with teens and tourists using ATVs and other vehicles on the beach in a careless manner.

Spuhler said the city has been working with various constituents to address the issue of access to the lake, namely with the Bear Lake Regional Commission and the Public Implementation Review Group (PURG).

“It’s got be a balance, and I think if you can take some language that will allow people to get to key spots, Representative, then we can work that out, but if your goal is to allow the same ATVs we have up in the mountains, that’s not going to work,” Spuhler said.

Webb maintained his legislation would not turn Bear Lake into a “racetrack.”

“That is not what this says; it says that it’s the norm you can restrict (access); it accomplishes what you got now,” the Providence lawmaker, who owns a home in Bear Lake, said on Saturday.

The key element to the bill is “to say land should be open,” Webb explained. “This bill doesn’t change the ability of sovereign lands to have a land-use plan or the impetus as to what that land-use plan should be. What it does do is change is the paradigm so we’re clear about (providing) public access.”

Webb explained his intention of the proposed legislation is to mitigate the effects of previous legislation that limited access to Bear Lake. In creating the new bill, Webb said he talked to officials at the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

“I said, ‘if you were making a plan that said make as much open as possible, would that have changed your plans? They said ‘there are probably a few more places to make open,’” Webb said in an interview after the conference call. “Current code really shut it down. The fact it was so closed down last year leads me to believe that it’s a good idea to have better guidelines.”

A number of residents sounded heated with Webb during the conference call, accusing him of turning the beach into a “racetrack,” or not respecting the work that PURG has done to address the long-standing issue of access to the lake.

Steve Arnold, general manager of Ideal Beach Resort, who is also a member of PURG, was more conciliatory, however, saying what stakeholders “really need to do is find middle ground.”

“It is absolutely irresponsible to open up parallel travel to the lake. I’ve had people almost killed by motor vehicles,” Arnold said. “The PURG has done a good job, and we want public access, so we’ve got a good voice, Rep. Webb.”

Spuhler added, “We all want access — it drives our economy, we have a lot of people that enjoy this place because the beautiful lake — so we have to consider access. The real focus in the future has to be how we look at our comprehensive management plan. That is our constitutional principle and future,” referring to the PURG.

Spuhler noted that Garden City received $500,000 from the state last year to expand parking due to the increasing number of tourists in the spring and summer months.

Reflecting on the call in an interview, Webb said that he heard “a lot of good things” from residents, he would check on some of its key provisions and “proceed” with getting the bill through the Legislature.

“I think they understand I’m not trying to make the whole lake a raceway, I’m just trying to say the default should be open instead of closed,” he said.

Spuhler and others noted on Saturday the bill does not have a fiscal note, or language mandating funding, which led to questions over how well the bill could be enforced.

Brian Cottam, division director/state forester at Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, said funding has been limited.

“Oftentimes, we don’t have flexibility we’d like to do the right thing on the ground because the right money has not been appropriated or available,” he said.

Bill Cox, Rich County Commissioner, said the legislation comes at a critical time for Bear Lake tourism.

“This is the first time in 50 years I’ve seen cars parked on the west side of the highway because the east side was full,” Cox said. “One way or another, we’ve got to work together and realize this is not going to be perfect (legislation). We’ll do our best regardless of the legislation proposes. (Law enforcement) has done a lot to step up and I think they’ve done an excellent job.”

————

kopsahl@hjnews.com

Twitter: KevJourno

Cisco's

By Bryce Nielson, A True Character

You know, I am feeling the urge to write again.  After writing Cisco’s Sonar for the Rich County Times from its conception until its end, I gave my opinion and reported my observations for 100’s of different subjects.  I also wrote for Rich Civic Times for a while, but then life just became too complicated.

Some of you may remember it but there are many new readers now that haven’t heard what old Bryce has to say.  I have experiences with biology and the natural world that makes me look at things completely differently.  Understand that these are my words and since I am no longer associated with Parks and Recreation, Wildlife Resources or local politics. I will speak the truth as I see it.  Agree or disagree, it is up to you (assuming Bobbie publishes it).

Bear Lake is a unique place.  The Lake itself hides many things.  Many of the creatures that live in it are found nowhere else in the world.  It is surrounded by an ecosystem that is constantly changing, full of new surprises.  The impact that humans have is interesting and complicated.  I love to tell people about it.  My passions are fish, birds, the weather and anything else that piques my interest.  I have finally accomplished my life long goal….to be a true “Character”.  Welcome to “Ciscos”.  

Cisco Disco

Deana and Scott Tollentino making scones and frying fish for their 23 year at the Cisco Disco

Scott Tollentino, Chef. Chris Coray, Richard Lamb and Tom Stevens Flunky Chefs
 

Deana Tollentino hard at work

Dressed to Polar Plunge in the icy lake.



Tom Stevens is ready to jump in with his lily white legs.

 



Crowd waits to jump.  It is 27 degrees outside..the water will seem warm.
Photos by Bobbie Coray

 

Every year the cisco run to spawn in the lake about the middle of January.  The Cisco Disco has grown from a few local fishermen netting for bait to a fun filled day.  The Tollentino's fry cisco, fries and homemade scones, this year they fried almost 400 cisco and thousands of scones for the long lines of people who wait by the bonfire on Cisco Beach.  The State Parks open up the area for hundreds of fishermen and women.  Richard Droesbeck, Utah State Parks, said that this was the very start of the cisco run, so there should be good netting for a couple of weeks.

 

Later that day, the Bear Lake Rendezvous Chamber of Commerce hosted the Polar Plunge and a Chili Cook Off.



Letter To The Editor

To the Editor:

I attended the Rich County School Board meeting last week Wednesday (1/21/2015).   I learned a lot.  Although this was a good experience for me and I wish I was more involved in the school board prior to this point in time, I am not happy to say it was a good experience. 

One of the first things to happen at the meeting was the newly elected school board member were sworn into their positions by the secretary.  The new members were Mr. Bryce Huefner, Mr. Monte Weston and Mr. Eric Wamsley.  Three out of the five board members are new, which indicates to me that the Rich County electorate wanted some new ideas and new representation on this board.

One topic of discussion at this school board meeting was the compensation received by the board members.  I asked openly was exactly that compensation was.  This question was answered by the secretary, and now I want to share this with the public.  Although this compensation may have been public knowledge before, I highly doubt the vast majority of Rich County residents (including myself) had any idea of what that is.  

Rich County school board members each make:

$250 per month +

$60 per board meeting +

$0.45 per mile (for travel reimbursement) +

$12,000 - $18,000 per year for health insurance benefits

This comes out to $3,000 + $720 cash + health insurance.  To make it simple that roughly comes out to $20,000+ per year per board member!   I served on several board appointments in my life and I would estimate I spent an honest 8-10 hours per month working on board-related work outside of regularly scheduled meetings.  With that level of involvement our school board members are making in between $167-$208 per hour!   That amount of compensation is simply not acceptable to me.  That is comparable to what lawyers and doctors are making!  Is this what we want in Rich County? 

While I thought the monthly fee, meeting attendance fee, and travel reimbursement were acceptable, I was absolutely shocked to learn that school board members received any type health insurance.  I asked the question of WHY and HOW school board members received health insurance benefits. This is where the meeting really became interesting.  Instead of a board member answering the question, Dale Lamborn (school superintendent) immediately spoke up and indicated that State Statute says they can have compensation.

 John Spulher, mayor of Garden City, who was in attendance at the meeting, asked if the health benefits were mandated by State Statute, or simply allowed for the board members.  Again, I found it rather odd that the superintendent answered that question and indicated it was only “provided by Statute and not required”.   I then asked the board WHO decided that Rich County School Board members should receive Health Insurance benefits?  After some discussion and no clear answers, as far as I could decipher, it was indeed the school board themselves!  Granted this health insurance was not granted by the currently standing school board to themselves, but the tone of the meeting turned very defensive even at the asking of these questions. 

Two of the most shocking (and disappointing) things were then said.  President of the board, Pete Cornia, indicated that in the last 32 years that only 3 people have run for school board in his district and without offering monetary compensation and health insurance benefits no one would even be interested in running for the position.  I indicated that his statement was his opinion.   Does that sound like a statement a school board president should ever make?  Should not wanting to serve the students of Rich County be a priority?  I sure as heck think it should!    If no one in Mr. Cornia’s district wants to run for school board unless there is pay and health insurance benefits offered, I’m sure we could find someone in other parts of the county to represent Mr. Cornia’s district for a lot less!

Secondly, Eric Wamsley, newly elected board member from Laketown indicated that “I’m a small business owner”.  Mayor Spulher asked out-loud what that had to do with anything pertinent to the current discussion?  Mr. Wamsley then answered saying as a small business owner he pays thousands of dollars in taxes and does not feel guilty of taking the compensation or health insurance either.  Again, I ask you…..does that sound like a statement a NEWLY-ELECTED school board should make?  Should not wanting to serve the students of Rich County be a priority?  I sure as heck think it should! 

Finally, Rich Larsen, Principal of Rich High School, said he thinks the compensation for the board was fine since he equated the members of the board to Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of a multi, multi, million-dollar enterprise.   This is a person in a position who directly benefits from decisions made by the school board and was openly campaigning for them at a public meeting.  Maybe I was reading too much into his statement, but it sure appeared to me of a: “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”-type of opinion, and not appropriate for school official to comment on, especially when they board sets the principal’s salary.

Immediately after the discussion ended, Mr. Huefner made a motion to eliminate all compensation to school board members. Not one person on the board seconded the motion and therefore no one on the board had to “vote” to show whether they wanted to keep or eliminate benefits for board members.  I do have to give kudos to Mr. Huefner for making the motion and brining up this topic on the agenda.

What was interesting was that the 4 other board members (other than Mr. Huefner) pointed out no one on the board is forced to take their compensation and benefits and could turn them back to the school.  That is a most honorable point, but none of these members (with the possible exception of Mr. Weston who said he hasn’t yet decided if he will take the benefits) were willing to give up their benefits in lieu of saving the Rich School District over $100,000 per year!    

In summary and in my opinion, paying our Rich County School board members close to $200 per hour in compensation is ridiculous.  Perhaps years ago when health insurance was not astronomically costly, and the School Board voted to give themselves a fully-funded health care plan, it may have not been a big deal.  However, the fact is health insurance is something the School District should not be paying to  school board members that only meet once per month and are already compensated by a salary/stipend.   As far as I can see, the only way this situation will ever change is to elect people to the school board who will actually vote to eliminate their health insurance benefits and use the money saved by hiring additional teachers or provide better materials for the children of our county. 

Fortunately, we do have a bunch of great teachers in our Rich County school system and I am happy that both of my daughters had the opportunity to attend and graduate from school in Rich County.   With that said, I am in a position now where I can speak out freely about what some perceive as inadequacies and questionable practices in the school system.  Unfortunately, I feel I could not speak out about these sooner, while my children were attending the school for fear of reprisals against them.   The sad part is that many other parents who still have kids in our school system feel the same way.  

Finally, for comparison the Mayor of Garden City makes:

$520 per month + mileage

NO HEALTH BENEFITS

A total compensation of $6,240 per year

Rest assured the Garden City mayor puts in significantly more hours each month and attends more meetings (uncompensated for meetings)  than any board member (planning & zoning board, variance board, or school board) does.

Scott Tolentino,

Garden City, UT

School Board Compensation Becomes Issue

Anita Weston, Chris Coray, Reporters

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  January 21, 2015.  Rich County School Board compensation was discussed by the board and by Mayor John Spuhler of Garden City and Scott Tolentino, who were in attendance.  Previous school boards have voted for themselves and their families a taxpayer funded compensation package that includes $250/month pay, $60 for each meeting attended, 45 cents per mile for board related travel, reimbursement for expenses directly related to board work, and a substantial taxpayer funded health benefit (including dental).  The health and dental benefit cost is by far the largest component of the total compensation and varies depending on family size and options selected but that health benefit cost to the taxpayers runs in the $13,000 to $18,000 annual range per board member based on whether they take individual or family packages.

Overall compensation for board members, while somewhat variable, is therefore approximately in the $20,000 per year range per board member, or $100,000 per year to support the board in total.  It should be noted that the current board awards itself the right and payment for health/dental insurance, but board policy does not allow the health benefit package for part time employees of the district. 

New board member Bryce Huefner indicated that he believed that the board should be viewed more as a public service with only compensation for expenses directly related to board work (and without health benefits).  Board member Pete Cornia indicated that in order to get people interested in running for school board positions, he felt it was necessary to compensate them for their efforts, including the health package.  He noted that from his district there have only been three people in the last 32 years who have run for the board.  He also noted that if there was not some kind of payment, individuals who become angry at a teacher or administrator may run with only one agenda item in mind and that is to get rid of or get even with that individual.  Cornia felt that type of attitude doesn’t make for a good school board.

Cornia said that board members don’t have to take the health insurance benefit that is made available to them.  It is a personal choice.  If an individual already has insurance, he/she can keep their present policy and not take advantage of this benefit.  The payment board members receive can always be donated back to the school if the member doesn’t want that payment.  However, when payment for time and work is made, all must be paid or the state interprets this as being discriminatory.  Thus, all must be paid and the choice of what a board member does with this money is up to the individual board member.  Cornia did not identify any board members who have declined the health benefit.

New board member Eric Wamsley said that he was a small business owner, a taxpayer who had paid taxes for many years, and he had no problem with accepting the current complete compensation package, including the health benefit.

The question was then asked about how much time each board member spends on school matters.  The question was not answered. 

Board member Bryce Huefner made a motion to cancel all school board member compensation benefits, other than those directly related to board business and travel.  The motion died for lack of a second.  Huefner later indicated to these reporters that he will not accept the monthly pay nor any taxpayer funded health benefit package during his term.  Huefner is also a small business owner who has no employee funded or subsidized health insurance package, nor does his family.

Facebook Site For The Garden City School Board District

Bryce Huefner invites anyone who wants to know what is happening in the Rich County School Board to like his Facebook site "Garden City School Board District".

He also invites those who do not Facebook to share their email address with him if they want to be sent a monthly update on school board issues?  They can email him at behuefner@gmail.com to be added to his monthly email letter.  It is also a way for them to contact him when they have an issue to be addressed by him as a school board member.