Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

Young Love....and Brothers!
By Mel Hansen

On my way home this afternoon I had to stop at Colby, Kansas to take my government mandatory 30-minute break within my first eight hours of driving. So I went into the store...bought a couple of bananas, longingly looked at the 2 for $3.00 Pepsi’s in the cooler, but being true to my New Year Resolution to give them up, I tipped my hat towards them and walked on by and bought a couple of foul tasting plastic bottles of water! (I’ll rant about my feelings over bottled water another day!

Leaving Colby I decided to take the outer side roads instead of going through the middle of town like I usually do. As I approached the last two-lane road to turn left to get out of town I seen two boys beating the crap out of each other on the side of the road! The smaller of the two was clearly getting his clock cleaned by the bigger one, but nonetheless, he kept getting up and continued to throw punches!  He landed a few!  But down he’d go again from a hit or a push from the bigger boy.  As I made the turn, checking my mirrors to make sure I wasn’t going to hold up traffic, I stopped, rolled down my window, and asked the two boys what the problem was.

The older of the two, I guessed them to be 12 and 10, looked at me and said, "just a little fight between brothers!” 

I looked at the younger boy, who still had both clenched fists up and ready for action, and before I could say anything he looked at me and said, "he keeps telling me that my girlfriend is ugly!”

Now this comment took me by surprise, didn’t really know what to say, but I heard myself asking him,  "Well, is she?” (I know, right, what a hell of a thing to ask a boy about his girlfriend.) The older boy vigorously was shaking his head in the affirmative to my question, but the younger boy just looked at me for a few seconds longer.  

And then a grin broke out across his face, and he said to me, "Well kinda. But I don’t care! She likes me and I like her,  and my brother doesn’t need to keep telling me that she’s ugly.” All I could do is smile and laugh! 

I asked them if they were done fighting or did I need to get out and referee more rounds of fisticuffs.  The older brother put up his dukes, did a Sugar Ray Lenard, “rope a dope!”, exhibition and asked his younger brother, How bout it? Do I still need to keep kicking your ass or what?” (Typical big brother bullshit talk!) 

The younger brother said, "I’ve had enough for now, but keep it up and I’ll kick your ass later!" Had to admire his tenacity! I told them to shake hands...which they did... and told them...”there will probably be more girls you’ll fight over and about...but remember that being brothers is important!” 

The older brother punched his younger brother gently in the shoulder and said,  "We know huh Troy? Our mom tells us that all the time!”

As I told them goodbye and rolled up the window I put ol Lenoir in gear and started to roll, while watching in my side mirrors to make sure the fight hadn’t resumed? It hadn’t. They were on their bikes and peddling off.

I was smiling and laughing to myself, the next 50 miles or so, over my latest trucking adventure, wondering what I could learn from it.   Here’s what I learned: Truly! Love is in the eye of the beholder! The little guy didn’t care that his girlfriend wasn’t a "rophy!” All that mattered was that she liked him, and he her, and he was willing to go to battle to defend what he believed to be beautiful.

You ladies really have no idea what we men go through to defend your honor and our commitment and devotion for the love of a good woman!

Golden Sunrise

Photo by Linda Baird, Garden City

Rich County School Board Meeting

Racheal Moore, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  July 18, 2018.  Several staffing changes were discussed at this month’s School Board meeting.  It was reported that only head coaching positions have to be advertised while assistant coaching position applicants are forwarded to the principal and then approved by the board.  The head wrestling coach position at the middle school has become available and will be posted.  The following assistant coaching positions have also become available and recommendations for filling those vacancies were passed by the board:  Assistant Girls Volleyball:  Breanna Reid.  Middle School Assistant Football:  Tyson Waterson.

There are a disproportionate number of away games for volleyball and football and the reasons for that were discussed.  Apparently, other schools find it cumbersome to travel this far, but it was noted that the schedules alternate every other year in terms of more or less traveling, so it evens out over time. The volleyball and football schedules for both high schools and middle schools were passed.

The student fee schedule has come up for approval with only one change recommended.  Currently, students are charged $25 a night for overnight stays in hotels.  The recommendation was to change this to $30 a night.  Many other school districts charge a hefty fee up front that can be upwards of $500 to cover these and other costs for the year.  The staff here do an excellent job of choosing locations with reasonable rates to keep costs to a minimum for students, however, as hotel rates increase, the district needs to also increase the charge to cover the inflation.  Board members thought this was a reasonable increase.  A vote was issued and passed.

Paragraphs 314.5.4 and 314.5.4.1 were removed from the student retention section of the policy (RTI).

School Bond Proposed

Racheal Moore, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  July 18, 2018. Perhaps the most interesting and lengthiest subject of Rich School Board was focused on the proposed Rich County School District bond election.  John T. Crandall of George K. Baum Company, an investment banking firm and Brandon Johnson of Farnsworth Johnson PLLC, bond attorney were presented to discuss the bond election and answer questions prior to voting on the resolution providing for the holding of a bond election to be held November 6, 2018. 

If approved by eligible voters at the bond election, the board intends to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,500,00, in one or more series at one or more times.  The general understanding is that the money is intended to fund a new school gymnasium and additional classrooms, though the planned expenditure was not discussed during this particular board meeting.

If passed, an annual property tax increase will be incurred over the period of 21 years.  It is estimated that the increase for a  primary residential property value of $156,000 will be $35.77 for residences and $79.78 for business properties and non-primary or secondary residences.  Non-primary or secondary residence owners do not get to vote on the bond but will be directly impacted by the outcome if affirmed.

It should be noted that there is already a bond election that was passed previously and which is still being paid off.  The final principal payment on that is due June 2023 and is approximately $350,000 a year.  In 2019 this will be about $353,000. If the bond passes, debt service for the old bond will continue through 2023 varying at around $353,000 per year as scheduled and simultaneously in 2020, debt service for the new bond will begin at approximately $300,000 for a combined total of about $650,000 per year.  

In 2024, as the old bond is paid off, the new bond debt service will increase to a variance of around $650,000 until the amortization ends in 2039.  The amortization schedule is based on current rates.  It should be expected that if the bond passes and later bonds are purchased the following January, rates are likely to have increased which may affect the estimated property tax increases.

However, there is a state bond guarantee which provides an AAA rating for the bonds which would drive down the cost of capital and which also guarantees the state will cover the bond for investors if the school district has trouble funding the debt service. 

If passed, the school district will have 10 years to issue bonds.  If grant money is obtained after the fact, the money can be used for something different, or for paying off bonds.  There is no penalty to pay off early.  Construction cost inflation can be a concern, however, Hughes Construction was reported by the board to feel good about covering the cost at $8.5million, as they built inflation into their estimates.  Construction costs are going up anywhere from 15% to 25% said Crandall.

The resolution is required by state law, and a two-thirds majority is required by the voting members of the school board.  Discussion ensued regarding some of the requirements of the resolution such as proper notification to voters regarding the election, voter education and information, and public notice requirements.  It was emphasized that information can be provided to the public, but public funds cannot be used to market the bond or sway voters.  The vote on the resolution was taken and approved 5-1.  Bryce Huefner dissented.  Eric Wamsley was not present at the meeting, but his ‘aye’ vote was relayed by Scott Sabey