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Monday, April 6, 2020
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Cisco’s Sonar
By Bryce Nielson
Lagomorphs
You have seen them. Sitting quietly under the sage brush or smashed on the highway. You may remember seeing a lot of them, but I would bet you haven’t seen many in the past year. I am talking, of course, about wild rabbits of the Order Lagomorpha. There are four species in the Bear Lake Valley, the whitetail hare, snowshoe hare, cottontail, and pygmy cottontail. It was always interesting to me why the black-tailed jack rabbit never moved from Cache Valley side to Bear Lake, but I have never seen one over here.
Most people take these animals for granted, but I have studied and observed them for years as I traveled countless miles around Bear Lake. I could talk all about the rabbits themselves, but I am concerned about where they have gone. I have always heard that they go through a 7 to 10 year cycle. Whenever we didn’t see many, we just assumed they were at a low point in their cycle. After doing some research, that apparently isn’t the case anymore. Populations in the Columbia Basin have crashed and have not returned after 15 years. Recently, they appear to be gone from Yellowstone Park. Their status is changing from “no concern” to “species of concern” in some areas.
There are some theories about their population decline. Whitetail jack rabbits and cottontails inhabit the shrub-steppe sagebrush landscape. Habitat loss is the first reason speculated. Land practices like chaining, spraying sagebrush with herbicides or development are the primary factors. Large scale wildfires that burn the sage and replace it with cheatgrass are also significant factors in habitat loss. Predation by raptors, coyotes, etc. are also blamed for the decline in populations. Personally, I don’t think predators are a major factor and I see more future declines in eagle, hawk and predator populations with nothing to eat. Disease is of concern, but rarely documented in population shifts.
I just want to see rabbits again. I loved watching my dog trying to catch big, old, white tailed jack and never coming close. I still look for a cottontail perfectly still under a bush or the lonesome tracks of a snowshoe on the fresh snow. Not much anyone can do but hope the weather restores their habitat in the years to come with plentiful moisture and no fires.
Lagomorphs
You have seen them. Sitting quietly under the sage brush or smashed on the highway. You may remember seeing a lot of them, but I would bet you haven’t seen many in the past year. I am talking, of course, about wild rabbits of the Order Lagomorpha. There are four species in the Bear Lake Valley, the whitetail hare, snowshoe hare, cottontail, and pygmy cottontail. It was always interesting to me why the black-tailed jack rabbit never moved from Cache Valley side to Bear Lake, but I have never seen one over here.Most people take these animals for granted, but I have studied and observed them for years as I traveled countless miles around Bear Lake. I could talk all about the rabbits themselves, but I am concerned about where they have gone. I have always heard that they go through a 7 to 10 year cycle. Whenever we didn’t see many, we just assumed they were at a low point in their cycle. After doing some research, that apparently isn’t the case anymore. Populations in the Columbia Basin have crashed and have not returned after 15 years. Recently, they appear to be gone from Yellowstone Park. Their status is changing from “no concern” to “species of concern” in some areas.
There are some theories about their population decline. Whitetail jack rabbits and cottontails inhabit the shrub-steppe sagebrush landscape. Habitat loss is the first reason speculated. Land practices like chaining, spraying sagebrush with herbicides or development are the primary factors. Large scale wildfires that burn the sage and replace it with cheatgrass are also significant factors in habitat loss. Predation by raptors, coyotes, etc. are also blamed for the decline in populations. Personally, I don’t think predators are a major factor and I see more future declines in eagle, hawk and predator populations with nothing to eat. Disease is of concern, but rarely documented in population shifts.I just want to see rabbits again. I loved watching my dog trying to catch big, old, white tailed jack and never coming close. I still look for a cottontail perfectly still under a bush or the lonesome tracks of a snowshoe on the fresh snow. Not much anyone can do but hope the weather restores their habitat in the years to come with plentiful moisture and no fires.
Laketown discusses transient businesses
Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
LAKETOWN, Utah. March 4, 2020. Brent Zeyer wants to sell his commercial property on Cisco Road. Dave Smart is interested in purchasing the property to bring in mobile food units this summer in partnership with Zeyer.
Smart wanted to know if the Town Council would approve a business license for this kind of business.
Zeyer pointed out that access from the Cisco Road may be necessary. Mayor Weston asked if access from the packing plant would be possible. Discussion of road access took place. Cisco Road is a county road so that access would need to be discussed with the county.
Smart said he knew the requirements for clean water and a restroom for the food truck. The trucks and trailers are well contained. The State requires a certificate confirming that someone would provide restrooms for the food truck employees or possibly utilize a portable restroom. Mayor Burdette Weston explained that the town will require a business license and everything to be in order with the Health Department before the town would issue the business license. If Zeyer wants water from the town, he will need to take care of that.
Members of the Town Council said they were aware of conflicts that portable food trucks are
causing in Garden City. Permanent food establishments invest a lot more money in the community than portable food trucks.
Smart spoke of requirements in Salt Lake City to be a specific distance from other eateries and said he will not compete with the burgers, shakes and fries. He is thinking of bringing something different with a limited menu like street tacos, quesadillas and churros.
Councilman Eldon Robinson wanted to make sure the restroom facilities are addressed properly and that Health Department permits and food handler permits are obtained. Zeyer said that the food truck operation requires inspections and permits. He wants the city to allow him to operate in this summer.
Councilman Dallas Clark pointed out that it may be best to bring in three phase power from the
beginning to accommodate possible future needs like a restaurant or the big ice cream machines. Robinson recommended speaking to Eric Wamsley about a food truck Delmas had in the past that Brian Hirschi is currently operating on Rendezvous Beach.
The Council doubted the possibility of arranging an agreement to use the restrooms at Shaketown or Dee’s which are already used to capacity in the summer months. Mayor Weston feels that Smart will need to have his own restroom facilities.
Mayor Weston did not see any problem with approving the business license if Smart can indeed do this. Mayor Weston doesn’t think the Town Council will want the property to allow access to a group
of transient businesses coming in for summer and leaving for winter. Councilman Duane Robinson pointed out that the town requires the primary building to be built first.
Zeyer asked for a copy of the Town Code and Ordinances that outline the requirements they would need to meet. Smart stated that he is understanding that the Town Council will approve a business license for him if he obtains all of the permits and clears all of the hurdles to operate a food truck.
Rich Civic Times
LAKETOWN, Utah. March 4, 2020. Brent Zeyer wants to sell his commercial property on Cisco Road. Dave Smart is interested in purchasing the property to bring in mobile food units this summer in partnership with Zeyer.
Smart wanted to know if the Town Council would approve a business license for this kind of business.
Zeyer pointed out that access from the Cisco Road may be necessary. Mayor Weston asked if access from the packing plant would be possible. Discussion of road access took place. Cisco Road is a county road so that access would need to be discussed with the county.
Smart said he knew the requirements for clean water and a restroom for the food truck. The trucks and trailers are well contained. The State requires a certificate confirming that someone would provide restrooms for the food truck employees or possibly utilize a portable restroom. Mayor Burdette Weston explained that the town will require a business license and everything to be in order with the Health Department before the town would issue the business license. If Zeyer wants water from the town, he will need to take care of that.
Members of the Town Council said they were aware of conflicts that portable food trucks are
causing in Garden City. Permanent food establishments invest a lot more money in the community than portable food trucks.
Smart spoke of requirements in Salt Lake City to be a specific distance from other eateries and said he will not compete with the burgers, shakes and fries. He is thinking of bringing something different with a limited menu like street tacos, quesadillas and churros.
Councilman Eldon Robinson wanted to make sure the restroom facilities are addressed properly and that Health Department permits and food handler permits are obtained. Zeyer said that the food truck operation requires inspections and permits. He wants the city to allow him to operate in this summer.
Councilman Dallas Clark pointed out that it may be best to bring in three phase power from the
beginning to accommodate possible future needs like a restaurant or the big ice cream machines. Robinson recommended speaking to Eric Wamsley about a food truck Delmas had in the past that Brian Hirschi is currently operating on Rendezvous Beach.
The Council doubted the possibility of arranging an agreement to use the restrooms at Shaketown or Dee’s which are already used to capacity in the summer months. Mayor Weston feels that Smart will need to have his own restroom facilities.
Mayor Weston did not see any problem with approving the business license if Smart can indeed do this. Mayor Weston doesn’t think the Town Council will want the property to allow access to a group
of transient businesses coming in for summer and leaving for winter. Councilman Duane Robinson pointed out that the town requires the primary building to be built first.
Zeyer asked for a copy of the Town Code and Ordinances that outline the requirements they would need to meet. Smart stated that he is understanding that the Town Council will approve a business license for him if he obtains all of the permits and clears all of the hurdles to operate a food truck.
Information on CARES Act
Information from Edward Jones Investment on CARE act:
Cash Payments and Unemployment Assistance
- 2020 Recovery Payment: All U.S. residents with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 ($150,000 joint filers) are eligible for a $1,200 ($2,400) payment, as well as an additional $500 per child (under age 17).
- There are no minimum income requirements for the payment. Individuals with little or no income are eligible provided they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work-eligible Social Security number.
- This amount is reduced by $5 for every $100 over the income limit above, so it would be fully phased out for those with incomes over $99,000 (single) and $198,000 (joint filers) with no children.
- Increased Unemployment Assistance: Provides an additional $600/week payment to each recipient of unemployment insurance for up to four months.
- Provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits through Dec. 31, 2020, for those who remain unemployed after state unemployment benefits are no longer available.
- Delay in Tax-filing Requirements: Individuals now have until July 15, 2020, to file their 2019 tax returns instead of April 15.
- The Treasury Department has also postponed the deadline for making IRA contributions until the earlier of the taxpayer filing their 2019 tax return or July 15.
Retirement Account Changes
The following apply to qualifying individuals including those who are diagnosed with COVID-19, have a spouse or dependent who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or experience adverse financial consequences as a result of COVID-19, including quarantines, layoffs, business closures or child care responsibilities.
- Elimination of Early Withdrawal Penalty: Waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty for withdrawals up to $100,000 from qualified retirement accounts, including IRAs and 401(k) plans, for retirement plan participants who qualify for COVID-19 relief. Income tax on the distribution would still be owed but could be paid over a three-year period. Individuals could "recontribute" the funds to the plan within three years without regard to contribution limits. While the law allows for these types of penalty-free distributions from these retirement plans, the participant must contact their plan administrator to determine whether their plan allows for COVID-19 distributions.
- Increase in the Retirement Plan Loan Amount: Increases the amount that can be taken as a loan from a qualified retirement plan from $50,000 to $100,000 for 2020.
- 2020 RMDs Waived for Retirement Accounts: With the exception of defined benefit plans, required minimum distribution (RMDs) are waived for all employer plans and IRAs in 2020, including inherited accounts. This provision also applies to RMDs due in 2020, but attributable to 2019. Individuals do not need to meet COVID-19 qualifying criteria to waive RMDs for 2020.
- Items for Consideration:
- In general, we recommend exhausting some of the other provisions associated with the CARES Act first, such as mortgage and student loan relief, or using the recovery payment to bridge the gap on current expenses before taking a distribution or loan from your retirement accounts.
- For any withdrawal or loan, we recommend working with your financial advisor to consider developing strategies to recontribute/pay back these funds over time to reduce any long-term impact to your retirement goals.
Small-Business Owners
- Small-Business Loans: Many small businesses are now eligible for disaster relief loans from the Small Business Administration. Additionally, the CARES Act provides conditions for when loan payments may be deferred, and loan amounts forgiven.
- Other Provisions: There are additional tax and accounting provisions such as:
- An employee retention tax credit for employers subject to full or partial suspension of business due to COVID-19
- The ability to delay payment of employer payroll taxes
- Modifications for rules around net operating losses
- Modifications for rules around corporate AMT (alternative minimum tax) credits
- A temporary increase in the limitation on interest deductions imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
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