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ideal living updatesDon't miss a thing happening in Central Utah! Sign up for our free newsletter: Send an email to ideallivingmedia@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line. Your info will not be shared with anyone. Thank you!• New Richfield restaurant, Rice King Buffet has a new website, at www.RiceKingBuffet.com. The proprietors own several other restaurants, including a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, Yapona, located in American Fork in Utah County. However, they have chosen to make their home here in Richfield, because of the "clean air, nice people, and beautiful surroundings." • Today -- Tuesday, February 12 -- Ralph Okerlund -- the Sevier County commissioner who is said to be the most adamant supporter of the proposed coal-fired power plant in Sigurd -- will be available for a question and answer session during a public meeting held by Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., and will be held in the downstairs meeting room at the Sevier County Building located at 250 North Main Street in Richfield. James Kennon, president of SCCAW, said he hopes there will be courteous and informative discussion tonight. All are invited and encouraged to attend. • County commissioner Ralph Okerlund's seat will be up for election this November. It is believed that Okerlund intends to seek re-election. Now we find that he will not run un-opposed. Doug Wood of Annabella is also running for county commissioner here in Sevier County. Wood has extensive experience in farm management, and as Area Manager & Assistant District Manager of the Bureau of Land Management in our area. Wood has served for 14 years on the Annabella Town Council. Wood has over 14 years service in the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, awarded for "hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years" of service. He and his wife, VerDawn, raised eight children in Annabella, where they've lived for 32 years. In a recent press conference, Wood announced his candidacy and outlined his feelings on a number of issues facing the area. Wood supports the efforts of the Richfield Area Chamber of Commerce and others who are successfully increasing area tourism, since Sevier County is a "gateway community" to our many nearby national and state parks, & other outdoor recreation areas. Wood appears to have the experience to back up such a claim, as he was key in establishing the Slickrock Bike Trail in Moab, which Utah.com now calls "the center of the mountain biking universe," noting the 10-mile trail brings over 100,000 visitors per year to the area. Doug Wood stated he observes the most significant issue facing the county is the proposed coal-fired power plant in Sigurd. Wood is opposed to the controversial NEVCO project because there is broad consensus in the area that the location is unacceptable, and he feels it would impede our further development as a tourist center. He stated that the issue has brought much division in the area, and he looks forward to bringing greater unity to the area by supporting positive issues which will yield economic growth while improving our quality of life. Doug Wood said he wanted to hear the questions and concerns we have, and encouraged residents to feel free to contact him directly, at his home, at (435) 896-8113. You may view the press conference on Ideal Living programming on CentraCom cable on channel 10 and will be available online at http://tinyurl.com/ywbnz6 . • There is growing concern in the area that few homes are selling despite the best efforts of the area's several dozen realtors. Some local foks complain that the inflated prices for local properties -- which were fueled by "adjustable-rate mortgages" are persisting -- even after the ARMs themselves are said to no longer be available. A recent national survey found that a majority of Americans now feel the country is in recession, which is attributed to the growing ARM crisis in the mortgage financing industry. • This May, the federal government will be issuing economic stimulus tax rebates to all adults, in order to forestall and/or shorten a national economic recession. The payments, which will be signed into law by Pres. Bush tomorrow (Wednesday), will not be taxable, and will typically be for $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples. Families will receive an additional $300 more per child. The amount will begin to phase out for those with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000, or $150,000 for joint returns. You must have earned at least $3000 last year, and file 2007 income taxes, to receive the rebate check. • Rice King Buffet -- a new Chinese buffet in Richfield -- is now open and has entertained near-capacity crowds in the large, well-designed restaurant since its opening last Friday. The all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet offers dozens of menu items, and drinks are included. Seniors aged 60+ receive 10% discounts, and there will be pricing for children is 55¢ per year of age for lunch, and 75¢ at dinner. Rice King Buffet is located in the strip mall in front of the Wal-mart Superstore in Richfield. As a special for Ideal Living readers and viewers, diners at Rice King will receive $1 off their meals if they mention they heard about them on Ideal Living. • A new orthodontist is coming to Richfield. Trent Thalman, a recently graduated orthodontist, will be opening his new practice in the building currently under construction between the Sevier County Schools administration building and the nearby car wash. • Since the Sevier County Planning Commission recently refused to approve a building permit for NEVCO/Sevier Power's controversial coal plant project until NEVCO found, bought, and sought approval for a new property to store thousands of tons of coal ash, there is much talk in the area to the effect that the company isn't financially able to move forward. People talking about this issue state that NEVCO/Sevier Power reportedly has been operating on a $150,000 Small Business Administration loan, which some now speculate may be running out. • Complaints seem to be increasing that odors from the area's sewage treatment plant are spreading throughout the valley, particularly in the morning and evening hours. Since the odors could potentially represent the release of bacteria in nearby residential areas which could present serious health hazards, residents in south Richfield and towns in the south are concerned whether the plant is being maintained properly. They point to numerous articles which describe many approaches for reducing odor at sewage treatment plants in publications such as Water & Wastes Digest (www.wwdmag.com), which report that maintaining a proper "odor cap" is essential for public comfort and safety. • The Richfield Library now offers free wi-fi Internet. Bring your wireless-capable laptop computer and take advantage of their free, wireless broadband Internet available inside or nearby the library. The Richfield Library's web site is at www.richfieldlibrary.com . • The finals for Monroe Main Center's Acoustic Guitar Contest will be held this Saturday, February 16, at 7 p.m. Entrance is $1 per person, and visitors will be able to vote for their favorite performers, who stand to win a new guitar or other prizes. Be sure to come by and enjoy some great music! • Many residents have asked us here at Ideal Living Media to increase the availability of our all-local television programming over the Internet. We are pleased to announce that Ideal Living is working on a new 24/7 Internet television station, bringing local news, events, entertainment, and more to everyone with a broadband Internet connection. • The Sevier County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting voted in support of their final approval for NEVCO/Sevier Power Company's controversial coal-fired power plant in Sigurd. However, several significant restrictions were placed upon their approval. Notably, a condition was added by Commission member John Worley which requires NEVCO to store the thousands of tons of ash which will be produced by the plant elsewhere, away from the plant's site and nearby homes. By comparison, IPP's ash storage comprises a pile approximately 50 feet tall, 100 feet wide -- and 4 miles long. NEVCO representative Bruce Taylor had repeatedly stated during official meetings that if they were required to store their ash offsite, they wouldn't be able to • Two weeks ago, in anticipation of the Planning Commission's vote, James Kennon and Dick Cumiskey of Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water presented a proposal to the County Commissioners requesting more dialogue between local citizens and government officials, particularly concerning the proposed coal-fired power plant in Sigurd. Commissioner Gary Mason, at the meeting on Feb. 4, responded saying that the commissioners would like to have two presentations from citizens, focused on specific aspects of the controversial proposal, at each of their upcoming meetings. Work sessions and a public hearing will also be held, with dates to be announced. Accordingly, two presentations were included in the County Commission meeting held on Feb. 4. The first was by Shanna Bastian, the local leader of Utah Moms for Clean Air. Bastian recounted the dangers of coal power plant ash, including details on how microscopic crystallized glass particles cut the lungs, leaving behind scar tissue, and how lime-like powders turn to a Drano-like chemical once wet inside the lungs, dissolving lung tissues. The second was by Elaine Bonavita, who suggested that NEVCO (or the county) be required to contibute to a $5 million fund to cover some health care costs incurred by the residents who will be negatively effected by the proposed power plant. • Rice King Buffet, a new restaurant in Richfield, will be opening on Friday, Feb. 8 -- New Year's Day on the Chinese calendar. The all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet will offer over 80 menu items, and drinks will be included -- free of charge. Lunches will be available for $6.99, and dinner will be for $9.99. Seniors will receive 10% discounts, and there will be special pricing for children. The spacious, lovely restaurant is located in the strip mall in front of the Wal-mart Superstore in Richfield. • The Sigurd Town Council recently polled its citizens to better guage their feelings concerning the proposed power plant within 1.75 miles of many residents. A statistically significant number of responses were received. Of the 105 ballots returned, 94 were opposed to the proposed plant (90%), with 11 (10%) being in support of the tentative project. The Council passed a resolution, which noted negative health and property value impacts, which was submitted to the Sevier County Commission. • C-A-L Ranch Stores (www.calranch.com), which offers farm and household goods, is considering opening a branch of their retail chain here in Richfield. It appears that the plans have not been finalized. The Idaho-based company currently has stores in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Blackfoot, Pocatello, and Burley, while their Utah locations currently include Logan, Spanish Fork, American Fork, Farr West, Tooele, and Cedar City. • Richfield Library librarian Robin Davis has a great new blog on the Web. Robin discusses and recommends good Children's and Young Adult (Teen) Books which she's purchased at the Richfield Library. The Richfield Library web site is at www.richfieldlibrary.com . • Utah Attorney General's office has investigated an illegal meeting held among county officials concerning the proposed power plant. Reports say the Attorney General, the chief law enforcement officer in Utah, found that the meeting was actually held, and was done so illegally. County officials are said to have attributed the meeting to county attorney Dale Eyre's assurance the meeting was held under legal circumstances. The UAG reportedly ascribed the cause of the illegal meeting to "ignorance." In response, the UAG will hold training sessions on Utah's laws regarding government meetings for the county attorney and county officials, which will also be open to the public. • Many of our viewers enjoyed watching our telecasts of the Acoustic Guitar Contest held at Monroe Main Center last year. Another set of contests is now underway, this time with 8 young people, ranging from 10 to 21 years old, competing for a new guitar along with other prizes. Standing-room only crowds were at last Friday's contest, who enjoyed a pleasant hour of music performances, and who voted for their favorite entertainers afterwards. Another contest will be on Feb. 9, and the finals will be Feb. 16. Music begins at 7 p.m. Entrance is $1 per person. • NEVCO/Sevier Power Company has reportedly failed in making several payments for renewal of a major water contract. When the agreement lapsed most recently, the water owner refused to deal further with the company. In response, NEVCO sued the water owner. When it appeared to some observers that the judge was going to dismiss their case out of hand, NEVCO representatives raised a number of complaints, and so the judge called for depositions to be taken on the matter. No word yet on how, or if, the matter has been resolved. • NEVCO/Sevier Power Company also failed in at least two separate deals in making agreements for storage of its ash on on other properties. The first reportedly had an agreement with NEVCO for ash storage some years ago. This agreement appears to have lapsed, and afterwards NEVCO began repeatedly claiming during public meetings that they had always intended to store ash on their property, and that they could not get financing if the ash wasn't stored on their property in Sigurd. After NEVCO was rebuffed in its attempt to renew the previous agreement, they apparently approached a second owner with property near Highway 118 and Interstate 70. Reports state this owner also refused. Residents involved in the hospitality industries have expressed relief that tourists traveling to the area will not be introduced to our county by a miles-long pile of "Drano." • Kimball Poulson, a former member of the Richfield city council, has been given a new job representing the city in the management and sales of properties of the new industry park to be located south of town. Poulson is said to have originally proposed the position to other Richfield officials. Subsequently, public consideration of the new part-time position was tabled by Mayor Brad Ramsay during a city council meeting. Afterwards, although the position was not publicly advertised, Poulson was appointed to the position. Local businessmen involved in the real estate industry have expressed concerns that they were not alerted to the property sales/management position. Poulson is said to have once held a realtor's license, but it has reportedly lapsed for some time. • Reportedly, another recently-appointed-yet-unannounced position was for the controversial zoning enforcement officer position. While many concede that reminding residents of their need to properly maintain their properties is needed, with Richfield residents now facing criminal charges, concerns are growing. Mayor Brad Ramsay has responded to these concerns in an email to Ideal Living:
• Mayor Ramsay had previously raised concerns about whether the current funding was sufficient to complete Richfield's Main Street Improvement Project, which aims to increase business in the downtown area by making it a more pleasant and pedestrian-friendly area. Engineers for the project, Jones & Demille, recently gave a presentation to city officials stating that existing funds will be sufficient to fully complete both the new public parking lot, to be located behind the movie theater, as well as improve and beautify Main Street, without impairing traffic flow. • Walt Womack's new company, Diamondhills Recycling, will reportedly be opening for business sometime soon. The matter has been watched by many residents since county Planning Commission members placed numerous restrictions on the business's opening, including written permission from all adjacent property owners. Some complained that the Commission did not place similar restrictions on much more disruptive businesses, such as the proposed coal-fired power plant. • Today, Tuesday, February 5, is "Super Tuesday" in the U.S. Presidential election primary. Remember to vote! • Reports have come in that wages are increasing throughout the local area, due to mandatory minimum wage increases, as well as the influence of national chains, including Home Depot. In response, prices appear to be increasing at local businesses which depend upon such workers. • As expected, Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water has filed an appeal with the court system after Utah's Department of Air Quality ruled that their own department had not erred in previously granting an air quality permit to NEVCO for their proposed coal-fired power plant. • Correction: Previously we reported that representatives of CentraCom Interactive had told Ideal Living that they were upgrading their broadband Internet service from 5 megabits per second up to 8 Mbps, which we stated would make them the fastest Internet Service Provider in the Richfield area. This now appears to be untrue, with CentraCom management clarifying that their representative was misinformed. Further, Richfield Internet service provider Altazip reports it offers services which exceed the 8 Mbps speed. Altazip has added a link to their website's "Our Services" page ( http://tinyurl.com/2mjha5 ) offering "Television Programming." There is speculation that Altazip intends to offer IPTV services, which offer cable-TV-like television packages which are delivered via the Internet. • Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and physician at LDS Hopsital in Salt Lake City, wrote to echo the findings of Dr. Gillespie, the south Utah resident from the World Health Organization, who wrote on the health effects of ash from coal-fired power plants:
"Technology advertised as clean coal ignores a simple basic fact. The fuel used is still the same contaminated coal that's been burned for 200 years. "Decreased pollution up the smokestack concentrates the remaining pollution in the CCW. The end result, Colorado will see less pollution, but residents of Sevier County will be exposed to more. "Nevco's plant will produce 30 tons of CCW per hour or 263,000 tons per year. This waste will be stored on its site, in your community. "Combustion shrinks the overall fuel to a small fraction of its precombustion volume. But, most of the contaminants and toxic substances are not combustible, so they become concentrated in the waste. This waste contains 55 different toxic metals and minerals that can cause serious health problems; 24 of them are known carcinogens. "Nevco's plant will generate nearly 4.5 tons of radioactive material every year and the radioactivity will steadily increase over time. "Americans living near coal plants are exposed to more nuclear radiation than if they lived near a nuclear plant. Other coal contaminants may be even more dangerous. Non-radioactive heavy metals like mercury, lead, and arsenic are toxic, especially to the brain development of unborn children and infants. "The presence of CCW in a community threatens health in several ways. No matter how careful the plant is, whenever the wind blows, fly ash within CCW will scatter throughout the valley. "Microscopic crystalline silica particles in the fly ash can be deeply inhaled into the lungs and because of their shape and sharp edges, can literally cut the tiny air sacs in the lung - alveoli - causing microscopic scarring leading to permanent loss of lung function, bronchitis, silicosis, and ultimately premature death. "Fly ash also contains calcium oxide - lime. Calcium oxide combines with the moisture in your lungs to form calcium hydroxide, which is caustic to lung tissue just like Drano. "By the time you actually see fly ash in the air, the concentration is 50 times the amount that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers safe. "In fact, OSHA requires that workers exposed to fly ash use glasses with side shields, respirators, gloves, and clothing that covers all skin. "We are especially worried that the proposed plant site is in a designated flood zone. Local residents have observed two or three flooding episodes of that site in the last decade. If flooding occurs at the CCW site, liners may be breached and the surrounding groundwater, aquifers - many of which are within 40 feet of the surface, and even the Sevier River would be at substantial risk for contamination. "Children living and playing in soil near CCW have more cancers like leukemia. A recent EPA report indicates that the cancer risk for people drinking water contaminated with arsenic from CCW sites can be as high as one in 100. This is not just theoretical. "The EPA reports that toxic elements in CCW have poisoned surface and groundwater in at least 23 states. An environmental council in Indiana found that of 60 CCW sites for which ground monitoring data was available, every single one showed contamination. "Contamination of water resources in the Sevier Valley would be a community-wide health and economic disaster. For public officials to disregard these extraordinary risks and approve this plant, would be an astonishingly cavalier gamble with your future and the lives of your children. "Drs. David Crimin and Jeffrey Brown have cosigned this letter. Dr. Brian Moench" Thanks for reading Ideal Living Updates! • Ideal Living has learned that the Sevier County Planning Commission will take a vote on NEVCO's proposed coal-fired power plant this Wednesday, December 12, 2007. The commissioners have not publicly affirmed any findings from their series of hearings thus far. The meeting starts at 5:30 P.M. Because the agenda is not publicly posted until late Tuesday, it is unknown exactly when the matter will be taken up by the commission. The meeting is open to the public, and concerned residents are encouraged to attend. • PacifiCorp, parent of Rocky Mountain Power, has announced they have given up on their plans for building coal-fired power plants for the foreseeable future. The utility has filed reports with the states they operate in, which stated their reasons for canceling plans for three proposed coal-fired power plants in Utah and Wyoming, including the failed IPP3 plant in Delta. Previously filed reports -- which report the utility's plans for future sources of electric power, including traditional coal-fired plants like the one planned for Sigurd -- were rejected by the states of Oregon and Washington as unacceptable. However, the reasons for PacifiCorp's switch away from building fluidized-bed, coal-fired power plants extend beyond government's conclusions about the harm such plants cause on public health, or concerns about global warming. PacifiCorp stated that pending federal taxes on carbon dioxide pollution are likely to make coal power unprofitable at current rates and expenses. Further, since the costs of these taxes have not been finalized, it is impossible for utilities to plan whether heavily polluting coal plants could ever be profitable -- regardless of possible remedies, such as minor technology improvements, pollution swapping schemes, rate increases, or expense cutbacks. These publicly-stated reasons from PacifiCorp suggest that another cause for their change in strategy could be the inability to secure the enormous financing needed to build fluidized-bed, coal-fired power plants, like NEVCO's proposed coal-fired power plant in Sigurd. As long-suggested by investment experts, including respected investment capitalist Vinod Khosla, one would have to be "insane" to invest in "old-fashioned" coal power. It appears this new reality -- that renewable energy will be more profitable than traditional coal power -- may have finally begun to sink in. • A new furniture and home furnishings store is coming to Richfield. Penny Knight is designing the concept store in a manner similar to IKEA ( www.ikea.com ). The 21,000 square foot store will feature a pathway leading to walk-through displays set up as completely furnished rooms in various styles. Toward the end of the walk-through, will be a new "Chocolate Dreams" candy store, along with a new Quiznos franchise, which offers upscale sandwiches -- such as their Black Angus Steak on Rosemary Parmesan or Chicken Carbonara with Bacon -- along with salads and soups. To view their menu, visit www.quiznos.com. The new store will be located in the new business development area near Richfield's south I-70 interchange, behind the Comfort Inn, and adjacent to a new Microtel inn. The area will also include a new El Mexicano restaurant, along with a fun center with arcade games and indoor go-cart track. • A new mexican restaurant will be opening in the vacant gas station/mini-mart building at 600 East 300 North, in Richfield, next to Cocomotive and across the street from the Federal Government building. • Echoing statements from many sources that the Arch Coal's Sufco coal mine will be closing in 12 years when it runs out of accessible coal, Jim Kohler -- chief of the federal Bureau of Land Management's minerals section in Utah -- stated the same deadline was looming for all of Utah's coal mines. "Whether it's 12 years or 40 years, there's an end in sight," he said at a meeting of the Utah Geological Association. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that "the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliff coal reserves mined extensively for nearly a century will be depleted before long, while other seams are hard to access or subject to political and environmental challenges [including] southern Utah's Henry Mountains." • More information on the Chinese food buffet coming to the strip mall in front of the Richfield Wal-mart: This, the chains sixth restaurant, will offer an upscale setting and food, but with moderate pricing. For example, their latest restaurant, located in the competitive St. George market, offers a large, all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet reportedly between $5-6, and their dinners -- which include items like steamed crab legs and crawfish -- cost between $9-11. • The new skateboard, clothing and sporting goods store on Main Street in Richfield, Be-U, has started a petition calling for the City of Richfield to expand the skateboarding, biking, and roller-blading facilities currently available at Lions Park. For years, local children have advised one another to help maintain the "Skate Park" since, they say, city representatives promised them that if they did so, the park would be expanded one day. The Skate Park has proven to be the most popular recreational facility in Sevier County, other than perhaps the Richfield swimming pool -- and at considerably lower cost. Supporters note the facility does not even need watering or grounds-keeping, as the adjacent baseball diamonds do. Land appears to be available in the green-space between the Skate Park and the parking lot. The Skate Park Petition is available at Be-U's new store on Main Street in downtown Richfield. • The Central Utah Board of Health held its bi-monthly meeting last Thursday meeting, considering several important community issues. Members of the Board of Health are the directors for the Central Utah Public Health Department (see http://centralutahpublichealth.com/board-of-health.html ). The Board is a powerful organization, empowered to supercede any and all economic and political concerns to protect the public health, e.g., by condemning buildings or issuing quarantines. In what may be a surprise to some, despite its function, only two doctors serve on the Board, which is largely populated with county commission members from around the six county area. It is chaired by Sanpete commissioner, Bruce Blackham, who is said to have plans to retire from the Sanpete Commission early this Spring. A large crowd gathered at the public meeting. The first issue considered was their annual budget, in which it was noted that CUPHD has the lowest per capita funding of any area in Utah, which in turn has the lowest per capita public health funding of all 50 states. Action on the Gunnison gasoline leak was proposed by Dr. Von Pratt, the first of the two doctors on the Board. He reported that fumes resulting from the approximately 20,000 gallons leaked into the surrounding soil from a ruptured tank at the Gunnison Top Stop gas station have caused the closure and evacuation of Main Street buildings and numerous nearby homes. For example, fumes within the landmark Casino Star Theatre have reached 4500 parts per million, and continue to rise, with 7000 being the explosive level. Dr. Pratt reported that due to inaction (and what some citizens suspect is a coverup) by Top Stop and other officials, frustrations in the community have reached the boiling point. City officials are said to have reported in public meetings that they have followed all the necessary regulations in their response to the calamity, and that they will do little else. Top Stop has issued monthly $1,000 housing vouchers for displaced residents now living in area motels -- with the (possibly legally invalid) stipulation that in cashing the checks, residents thereby waive any and all future claims against the company. Dr. Pratt requested that the Board of Health get directly involved in the matter, requesting that Top Stop purchase the homes which have dangerously unsafe levels of gasoline vapors, since remediation of such a spill would take between 2 and 10 years. In discussion, it was suggested that the Board of Health should condemn the effected homes, and direct the state to remove the large spill which runs underneath Highway 89. In the end, however, chairman Blackham backed away from Dr. Pratt's requests and instead voted to send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency suggesting they get involved. He also suggested people avoid smoking in the downtown Gunnison area. The next issue was the chryptosporidium outbreak in public pools. "Chrypto" is a bacteria which propagates in swimming pools after fecal matter escapes from infants or others who have had a bout of diarrhea within the previous two weeks. It causes dangerous infections in swimmers. Chlorine treatments were increased, but problems arose from swimming in over-chlorinated pools. The problem was not found in Richfield's public pool, and has subsided throughout the state when children returned to school. There is concern the problem may return next year. The Board then discussed recent outbreaks in sexually-transmitted diseases. Apparently, whenever carnivals visit the area, such diseases increase markedly in the area. Finally, Dr. David Crimin, the other doctor on the Board, requested that the Board of Health issue a statement to the Sevier County Commission that air pollution, including that produced by coal-fired power plants, could affect public health. The respected Dr. Crimin passed out a document to the Board of Health, which read as follows: Air Quality FactsDr. Pratt concurred that the letter above was medically sound and accurate. It was noted that while air quality standards had not been updated by UDAQ in 18 years, other health standards, such as those governing public swimming pools, are updated every six months. Discussion was held, in which the Board members from other counties stated they supported a coal power plant in Sevier County. The reasons they cited appeared to be entirely concerned with politics and/or economics, which was challenged by the doctors and a few attendees who were allowed to speak. When the proposal was put to a vote, the tally was 3 to 3, with the two doctors and Ivan Cowley, Sevier County Commissioner, voting in favor of sending the recommendation to Sevier County officials. Evelyn Nielson, Sevier Planning Commission member, abstained. The three commissioners from other counties voted against the proposal. Then, Bruce Blackham, the Sanpete County commissioner -- who is an employee of Rocky Mountain Power -- cast his vote against the proposal. After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd rose and loudly denounced the Board for failing in their duties, who in turn either told the audience to leave, acted like it wasn't happening, or simply hung their heads. Ideal Living videotaped the meeting, which is available on CentraCom cable, and will be available online as soon as possible. • In response to the "modest proposal" letter included in our last issue against the proposed power plant in Sigurd, a local resident emailed Ideal Living. He has written in the past, in a manner unsuitable for publication. Since proponents for the controversial project are rarely heard from publicly, and in the interest of fairness, it is included here, in total: "Wow, what a far feached website, this is about as interesting as a SCCCAW newsletter, full of propaganda and phony tactics, I see mudslinging is now SCCCAW's only defense I have seen cartoons in the SL Tribune with more truth in them than this website full of BS. I really like the phony letter of the proposed business in the county. I believe the Mormon Church uses the same tactics you are attempting to use here, and look at the Idiots they are, Phony Books, False Prophecies crammed down everyones throat. This used to be a cool website with some pretty good information about the community, but it has become a mudslinging website for the Tree Huggers."Because the letter raises direct issues to this publication and its web site, in response, Ideal Living prides itself on being a public-oriented media company, eager to represent the interests of the fine local people of Central Utah, many of whom work hard in their businesses and daily life to improve our community in many ways. • Since the Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water was first organized some years ago, they have regularly received violent threats. Recently, however, we heard of a threat which was made to a supporter of the power plant. Emotions are indeed running high on this controversy, which seem to be increasingly tense as the issue comes to head. Ideal Living Media urges residents, regardless of their feelings on the matter, to please avoid violence, or even threats of violence. Violence of any kind is self-defeating, typically turning public sympathy toward the injured. Ideal Living encourages concerned citizens to focus their energies on constructive efforts, such as becoming more aware -- and involved in -- serving in our community, and in local politics. Government meetings, such as the Planning Commission meeting this Wednesday, are free and open to the public. Attendance at these meetings is not difficult, nor particularly time-consuming, especially since one may arrive or leave at any time. We encourage all to participate in the processes of democracy, let your voice be heard, and discover for yourself the enormous satisfaction which comes from knowing that you have made a positive contribution to our community. • Happy holidays from Ideal Living! Are your Christmas lights on local TV? See if your home happened to make it on Ideal Living's Christmas program showcasing some of our neighbors lovely Christmas decorations: - Christmas lights in Sevier Valley, UT Here are a few other segments that you may be interested in watching: - Don't miss last year's Christmas Tree Lane - 2006 Christmas Concert: Making a Difference - Janet and Megan Bird - 2007 Sevier County Fair - Home Tour & Central Utah Real Estate Update with Jean Ward, Realtor • Get cable TV free and make your computer happy, too! Both your TV and computer are important communication tools. Now when bundled together, you get Cable TV FREE, or save $10.70 with any cable TV package. . Not to mention your computer will be happy with a super-high speed cable modem internet connection. Centracom's cable network was built for high-bandwidth content delivery. It just makes sense that your computer should have access to all that high-bandwidth content too. Cable Internet Pricing Cable Customers: Up to 5 Mbps $24.25 Non-Cable Customers: Up to 5 Mbps $34.95 To have CentraCom call you, visit http://www.centracom.com/ idealliving . Your subscription, available in nearly every part of Sevier County, helps support Ideal Living's services. We appreciate your support! • If you need a new web site, give Ideal Living Media a call at 633-4195. Below are a few of the web sites Ideal Living has provided for local businesses and organizations. Have a look, and remember Ideal Living when you or someone you know needs an custom-designed, inexpensive web site:
willowcreekcocker.com pinnaclewilderness.org liveatwillowcreek.com ilovehouseofmusic.com richfieldofdreams.com mountainviewvision.com qhbuilders.com mountainviewvision.com barneyoutdooroutfitters.com masontrucking.com christensensutah.com littlewondertravel.com kthorses.com utpma.org shannonwarby.com rentyourfun.com centralutahhomes.com johnacarlislephotography.com growandknow.com intermountaincomputer.com monroewhitefencefarms.com seviercitizens.com hometownrealtyutah.com hitecarchery.com sonostat.com donnahartle.com Comfort Inn carolehansonrealtor.com medicalstaffingnow.com -- and, of course: ideallivingmedia.com Thanks for reading Ideal Living Updates! • The Richfield City Council is looking for someone to fill the open position created by Dr. White's departure to take a new job at the Utah College of Applied Technology. To be considered for the appointed position, Richfield residents are asked to submit a brief "letter of interest" to Michele Jolley at the Richfield city offices, at 75 E Center Street. For more information, call Michele at (435) 896-6439. • The plan for Richfield's Main Street project -- intended to make the downtown area more pedestrian-friendly -- has received some complaints. One complaint is over fears the road would be narrowed from four lanes to two. However, plans call for the street to remain a four-lane throughfare. The bulbs on the corners of each of the three-blocks would only extend into the area now used for on-street parking. Ditto for the bulbs in the middle of the blocks, where crosswalks across Main Street would be added. The raised planters planned for the middle of Richfield's Main Street would only occupy the unused area now left empty for the median. Another complaint concerns the proposed parking limit for on-street parking of 15 minutes. Some business owners feel a 30-minute limit would allow shoppers to make quick trips inside while still encouraging longer-term shoppers or movie-goers to park in the lots behind the Main Street stores. The parking lot behind Richfield's movie theater is to be expanded, with several storage buildings and sheds to be removed, including the large ParadICE building, which will open up the space considerably. • Local resident Camille Demille has opened a new clothing and sporting goods store on Main Street in Richfield, named Be-U. They offer clothing for both men & women, skateboards, and other board-sport gear for fun & wholesome, year-round, outdoor recreation. • Intermountain Computer Services, located in downtown Richfield, has added to their current offerings of custom-built computers, computer repair, and networking services. ICS has partnered with Heath's Cable Technologies to now offer home theater design and installation, televisions, DVD players, surround sound systems and custom home audio, Dish satellite TV, and satellite broadband Internet. Even if you just need some help plugging in your home entertainment systems, they'd be willing to lend a hand. To learn more, stop by their store at 70 North Main in Richfield or call Jeff Heath at 979-9473. • The planned student apartment development next to Snow College Richfield is now taking reservations for next Fall semester. The project's name has been changed from "Winter Quarters" to "Willow Creek Apartments." It will offer housing for women, men and married students. You can see what the 3-story, 12-unit buildings will look like, view floorplans for the 3-bedroom apartments, or make a reservation for your housing next year, at the new Willow Creek Apartments web site. • Willow Creek Cockers is offering a Christmas special on their cocker spaniel and cockapoo puppies. Visit their web site to get $50 off on your family's cutest Christmas present ever! • If you're looking for a delicious, inexpensive dinner (or late lunch), remember Little Wonder Cafe's "Early Bird" special, from 3-5 p.m. Choose from entrees including their fantastic tempura cod, ground beef steak, chicken-fried steak, liver & onions, or spaghetti & meatballs. You also get their homemade soup-of-the-day, large green salad, your choice of potato or their rich fettucine alfredo -- all for $5.99. Little Wonder Cafe is located at 101 North Main Street in Richfield. Their regular menu is available here. • Ideal Living Media received the following letter via email and was asked to include it in our newsletter: "I have a modest proposal. Although I don't live in the Sevier County, I am planning on bringing a new business to the Sevier Valley which I am going to announce soon. I don't want to say exactly what it is, but here's some background to help get people excited about it! I don't have any customers yet, I don't have anyone to sell the business to, there isn't any real need for it right now either, and the major markets for my business have outlawed the purchase of my products, but it's a big business so it should make huge profits anyway. The cost of the business would be around 2/3 of a billion dollars right now, but the costs are sure to go up between now and when construction begins, so financing the thing should be no problem. Although we may publicly claim higher numbers to help build support, I can privately say that statistically my business would bring 12 to 25 jobs to the area. No one local is probably qualified for these jobs, but we'll need janitors and maybe night watchmen, so we plan on tripling those figures when we formally announce the business is coming. These will be high paying jobs, no doubt about it, paying on average around $25k per year. Isn't that great?! "This exciting new business should cause a 17% increase in autism, and increase the number of students who need to attend Special Ed classes, so I'm sure the public will appreciate those new teaching jobs too. Plus, since workers in my type of business traditionally have need for mental health and criminal detention services, the business should bring even more jobs for drug counselors and prison employees also! Of course, my business could yield hundred of tons of radioactive, toxic waste that might make local ground waters permanently toxic, but since the business itself will require thousands of gallons of ground water each day, the water may be mostly gone before anyone notices that, which I think is a good safety precaution. And of course there may be millions of tons of air pollution, give or take, but I think the people in your area don't believe in pollution, so no one should actually be harmed, right? In fact, although businesses of my type kill 40 people per year (on average), my business will be smaller than some of those, so it will probably cause no more than 20 people to sicken and die each year, so that's not too bad. And many people would only get sick, not actually die, so it should be a real benefit to your community. Besides, a few shortened, sicker lives will be worth it (especially to me!). "Of course, with all these benefits, there may be a few trade offs. I'll need two county employees to work pretty much full time to help my company for the thirteen years or so that it takes to get the thing approved and built, but what's a million dollars of county tax money for something like this, right? It will also require elected officials' attention for years, and countless hours of work from other county employees throughout that time, but that's their job, right? I should probably add that although I don't actually have any money to build this business, that shouldn't be a problem. Because the concept is so great I'm sure the idea alone will carry the thing forward. Plus, I think I should be able to negotiate some cash-free agreements behind closed doors which will allow me to claim that I technically own lands I don't, which should allow me to appear before the Planning Commission, so I should be able to win local government approval without a sideways glance. As your local officials say, "big companies are different." And if that doesn't work, there's always threats and bribery. I mean, we live the real world right, and that's the way things work everywhere, right? So, everyone should look forward to an exciting new business coming to the area soon! It will change Sevier Valley forever! "My only real concern is that some other company may have already beat me to the punch with the same modest proposal. "We'll have to look at that and get back to you on it." • A planned business of recycling used vehicle tires for use on children's playgrounds, race tracks and other uses, appears to be moving forward. The Sevier County Planning Commission ordered the business to contact each property owner adjacent to the intended property, which is located near Sigurd, before approval was given. The Commission was concerned the business could create noise, lighting, dust and traffic which could negatively influence property values, or annoy nearby residents. It appears the business is close to having letters of agreement in hand from all of the property owners and, according to the previous requirements given by the Planning Commission, should be able to now move forward. The approval process for this business has given rise to much discussion locally and many heated complaints. The complaints arise not because of what was required of this business, but because the proposed coal-fired power plant to be located nearby -- and which would create noise, lighting, dust and traffic problems, as well as lowered property values, far exceeding the recycling project -- has not had the same requirements placed upon them. • Ideal Living Media wishes you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving! • Black Friday -- the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season, and the day stores get "in the black" -- is coming the day after Thanksgiving. You may read Black Friday deals right now. Sales from dozens of stores are available, including Wal-mart, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Sears, RadioShack, GameStop, and Kmart (including Kmart's Thanksgiving Day sale). • When Matt Kenseth wins a NASCAR race, you can get free curly fries at Arbys (his sponsor) the next day. He won on Sunday, so you can get FREE fries TODAY, Monday, November 19, by stopping by Arbys with the race results in hand. The Arbys Racing Team posted this coupon on their site to help make things easier . And if your printer isn't working, why not stop by Cartridge World today (at the Kmart shopping mall) for some inexpensive cartridges? Tell them Ideal Living sent you! • A new group has been formed called Health Professionals Opposing Pollution, or HPOP for short. It consists of -- but is not limited to -- health care professionals in Sevier County. The goal of the group is to educate the public about the adverse health effects on the population that could result from the operation of a coal fired power plant in Sevier Valley. Any interested individuals are encouraged to call Ann Cumiskey at 527-4448. Any requests from anyone desiring to work with the group but wishing to remain anonymous due to job concerns will be honored. With several citizens groups now formed to oppose the proposed coal-fired power plant -- Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water (www.seviercitizens.com), Save Our Air and Resources (SOAR), the local chapter of Utah Moms for Clean Air (www.utahmomsforcleanair.org), and HPOP -- it appears safe to say that the people of Central Utah are increasingly engaged and concerned about making sure our area keeps it family friendly, agricultural and tourism focus. Sevier County Planning Commission meetings are open to the public, and are held the second Tuesday of each month -- including their next meeting, to be held on December 12. They start at 5:30, and lately they have had work sessions on the proposed coal-fired power plant afterwards, usually beginning at 6:30. They are held at the Sevier County Administration Building, 250 North Main Street in Richfield. • A new, authentic Chinese food buffet is coming to Richfield this January. The restaurant will be located in the strip mall in front of the Richfield Wal-Mart. The Asian proprietors own several successful buffet restaurants in the Salt Lake area, as well as another location in Southern Utah. • Henry Waxman, Chair of the U.S. Congress' Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is introducing legislation which establishes a moratorium on the approval of any new coal-fired power plants until the Environmental Protection Agency finalizes regulations to address the greenhouse gas emissions from these sources: click here for more. Background: Construction of a coal-fired power plant on a Native American reservation in southern Utah was recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Since the property is on a reservation, the Utah Division of Air Quality was not involved in the ruling. Congress has called hearings to investigate why the EPA did not require carbon dioxide (a gas responsible for global warming) since the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled the EPA must regulate CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. Meanwhile, in a widely expected decision, members of the Utah Division of Air Quality upheld that they themselves had not erred in issuing a permit for construction of a coal-fired power plant in Sigurd -- at least, according to their currently established rules. The decision will be appealed to the court system where some feel a more impartial decision will be had. There is a growing public uproar over Utah accruing the worst air quality in the nation while those very rules were in place. Air Quality is now reviewing their rules to see how they will be updated in light of research which has uncovered previously-unknown health hazards caused by coal plant emissions -- which include mercury, a brain poison which causes retardation, and microparticulates, which cause heart attacks and strokes, as well as coal plant's key impact on global warming in issuing millions of tons of carbon dioxide gas. • A new Redbox DVD rental kiosk has been installed outside the Richfield Albertsons. The kiosks rent new release DVDs for $1 per night, charging you each night until the DVD is returned. Although there is already a Redbox unit inside McDonalds, Redbox units located outdoors (and thus open 24/7) are said to do comparably more business. Redbox has not yet added the kiosk to their web site, www.redbox.com , where visitors can see what DVDs the box has available at any given time. To try out the unit or the one at McDonalds, you may use any of these codes for a free 1-night rental: 14FREE, VALU, DVDONME, or SHREK3. Albertsons will no longer be renting videos and DVDs inside their store, but will offer them for sale in the future, including a clearance sale of their current titles. • After years of planning, the City of Richfield is planning to revitalize the city's downtown area, largely to make Main Street more pedestrian-friendly. The city has funding to build new sidewalk areas to add bulbs at all crosswalks, which will be located on the corners and in the middle of the blocks. A raised median will be added to the middle of Main Street, with trees spaced along the median. A new parking area (similar to the lot behind Christensens) will be added to the block behind the Reel Huish Theatre. Concerns from Main Street businesses, many of which seem to be struggling, appear to revolve largely around whether their businesses will lose customers during the construction process, as well as safety issues. There is also some dispute over how to pay for the burial of utility lines which will not be covered by the available funding. Main Street businesses feel they should not (and perhaps, could not) shoulder the entire cost themselves, which is said to exceed $70,000. Local engineering firm Jones & Demille is reportedly handling the project. Plans for the firm's work on the Sevier County Transportation Master Plan are available here. • Dr. Rick White, president of Snow College-Richfield, contacted Ideal Living Media to clarify recent comments made by Rod Clark of NEVCO. In a recent work session of the Sevier County Planning Commission, Clark inferred that the tentative coal-fired power plant was supported by White and the college, when he suggested that White had contacted NEVCO with a proposal to build worker housing on the Richfield campus, which would have eventually been turned into student housing. Dr. White contradicted Clark's version of the story. He told Ideal Living that, in fact, it was Malcolm Nash, a Sevier County government employee assigned to "economic development," who first telephoned to propose the idea to White. Dr. White confirmed that he had not heard the idea before Nash's phone call, but agreed to a meeting. In the meeting, White said that while the idea was presented to him and discussed, he did not agree or offer any sort of support or commitment to NEVCO. Apparently, no follow-up meetings or discussions were scheduled. Dr. White went on to clarify that he had never voiced any support for NEVCO's controversial plan, privately or in public. White stated he felt it would be inappropriate for a college president to offer any opinions on the project precisely because it could imply that the college itself supported the building of a coal-fired power plant here in Sevier Valley. Meanwhile, although Dr. White was recently elected to serve on the Richfield City Council, he subsequently received an appointment to serve as president of the Utah College of Applied Technology (www.ucats.org), a state-run, community, technical college system which operates in ten locations across the state. A press release in PDF format is available here. White has resigned from the City Council, and the city will reportedly be taking applications for someone to serve on the city council in his stead. • Robert Murray, CEO of Murray Energy and co-owner of the Crandall Canyon mine, announced his intention to re-open the long-closed Lila Canyon coal mine last week. The next day, the U.S. Senate issued a subpoena for him to appear before a committee investigating "the type of mining being done at Crandall Canyon, why he took center stage in post-disaster briefings, why he took reporters and photographers into the mine during dangerous rescue efforts, and whether he had used his political connections in the past to influence the Mine Safety and Health Administration." The following day, Saturday, Murray Energy announced it was laying off 52 employees to "conserve cash." On Tuesday, November 6, there was an election for the widely-watched school voucher referendum, along with many city and town council positions. Over 47% of registered voters cast ballots in the off-year election. Here are the (as-yet-unofficial) results: • State Referendum on School Vouchers (99% of precincts reporting). Statewide Results: Against: 62.21% - 309,204 For: 37.79% - 187,811 • Sevier County Races - Annabella: Council (2 seats) Jeff Roberts: 162 Wade R. Peterson: 156 Write-in Votes: 10 - Aurora: Council (3 Seats) Jerold Johnson: 221 Richard Curtis: 210 Brett Blackburn: 183 Write-in Votes: 10 - Central: Council (2 seats) Terry Christensen: 165 Charles Billingsley: 97 Kim Peterson: 89 Pat Meanea: 76 Write-in Votes: 2 - Elsinore: Council 4 (2 seats) Craig Yergensen: 158 John N. Busk: 116 Chris J. Kirkpatrick: 54 Write-in Votes: 0 - Elsinore: Council 2 (1 seat) Libbie Zenger: 153 Write-in Votes: 4 - Glenwood: Council 4 (2 seats) Wayne Oldroyd: 109 Steve Thompson: 84 Phil Singleton: 82 Write-in Votes: 8 - Glenwood: Council 2 (1 seat) Rod Lee: 143 Write-in Votes: 2 - Joseph: Council (2 seats) Troy Campbell: 60 James Owens: 53 Write-in Votes: 18 - Monroe: Council (3 Seats) Gordon W. Topham: 444 Robert "Ed" Oldroyd: 433 Troy C. Torgersen: 338 Cody J. Payne: 247 Write-in Votes: 5 - Richfield: Council (3 Seats) Richard L. Barnett: 1,163 Dan S. Chidester: 1,058 Richard L. White: 931 Michael D. Turner: 754 Mayo Jacobsen: 679 Write-in Votes: 16 - Salina: Council (3 Seats) Brent C. Beach: 349 Ryan J. Roberts: 348 Earl Taylor: 324 Tweeb Gladwell: 206 Write-in Votes: 225 - Sigurd: Council (2 Seats) Randall W. Stewart: 103 Vilo Allen: 59 Write-in Votes: 77 - Koosharem: Council (2 Seats) Curtis Bagley: 69 Clark W. Beard: 60 Write-in Votes: 3 - Redmond: Council (2 Seats) Ronald L. Bosshardt: 160 Samantha Means: 147 Write-in Votes: 8 Ideal Living extends its congratulations to the winners, its condolences to those who did not win a seat this time around, and encourages everyone to commit to serving the good people of our wonderful community. • TODAY -- Thursday, November 8 at 7:30 A.M. -- that's morning, not evening -- is an open presentation on the Proposed Downtown Richfield Street Improvement Project, to be held at the Richfield City Offices in the council chambers. Questions and comments may follow. The announcement reads: "This is your opportunity to voice your opinion." • No unemployment problems here: Utah's Department of Workforce Services reports that the unemployment rate for Sevier County is 2.8%, which they informally say is essentially no unemployment. We compare favorably with a national unemployment rate of over 4%. With the rate being calculated before the opening of Home Depot, some local business people say it is increasingly difficult to find people to fill positions. Sanpete County is slightly higher, perhaps due to the larger college student population, at 3.2%. If there are economic problems facing the area, job growth does not seem to one of them. • It appears that Jorgensens may have run into some trouble with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The trouble reportedly stems from improperly selling guns without performing the appropriate background checks. The alleged incident is said to have occured during a recent gun show, where an undercover ATF agent was able to purchase a firearm from a Jorgensens employee without proper procedures being followed. In order to confirm this report, Ideal Living contacted Lori Dyer, a field representative with ATF's field office in Salt Lake City, who confirmed that there is, indeed, an investigation of Jorgensens for a recent matter, although she could not discuss the specifics, citing the on-going investigation. Ms. Dyer stated that if an ATF investigation found that a business was selling firearms unlawfully, a conference could be ordered between the business and the ATF, which may issue penalties and remedies which could extend from a simple warning up to a permanent revocation of the business' federal license to sell firearms. • The Salt Lake Tribune has made it easier to learn county employee's salaries, along with Utah District Court criminal filings, Divorces, Census Data, FBI Crime Statistics, and Medical Examiners Records dating back for the last 10 years. New public information is being added regularly to the web site, at www.UtahsRight.com, with the stated goal of eventually including all levels of government. UtahsRight.com, "so named because it provides data that Utahns have a 'right to know,' brings to one central location a host of public information that had previously been scattered on various government and private Web sites or unavailable online -- all of it easily searcheable." To learn more about Sevier County, click here. • Recently, NEVCO representative Rod Clark announced that Rick White -- newly-elected Richfield City Council member and administrator at Snow College-Richfield -- had been talking with NEVCO to encourage the controversial project to build workers' housing for the proposed coal-fired power plant on the local college's campus. Clark stated that White hoped to one-day transform the construction workers' housing units into "dorms" for the school's students. Now, a new housing development "Winter Quarters Condos," may make the plan moot. The condominium development is selling units directed at student living and is being sold by Capstone Realty of Provo, Utah. Capstone's web-site for the property is available at www.winterquarterscondos.com . • We received an emailed report which stated Home Depot's medical insurance may not be a very good deal after all. The report stated the costs were quite high for the employees -- around $500 a month for a family of four. • A DVD of the 2007 Extreme Horsemanship Challenge, held at this year's county fair, is now available at the Richfield and Salina IFA Country Stores. This exciting contest tries horse and rider as they face extreme challenges, showing their courage and skill, all in a race against time. • Don't forget to check Ideal Living's recipes for this holiday season. Our newest recipe, "Best. Turkey. Ever." continues our "best ever" recipes series with some truly outstanding dishes your whole family will enjoy. After trying this recipe, you'll never make your turkey the same way again (or have to eat dry, bland turkey either). See links below... • Did you know it takes four impressions of your business' ads to get today's consumers to ask themselves, "Should I patronize this business?" That's the generally-accepted rule-of-thumb. But how do you get your message to local citizens four different times? How about trying local television? You can reach approximately 15,000 viewers for those four times during the average TV program, featuring fun and upbeat local events. Most viewers live right here in Sevier and south Sanpete county and watch out area's major television provider -- CentraCom cable. Yet, the cost for your new commercial is only $100 per month! Presenting your custom-made commercial on Central Utah's local television station is a proven, effective -- and inexpensive -- way to reach more customers. And you'll find it's a lot of fun making your commercial, too! Just ask any of our current advertisers: Barney Outdoor Outfitters, Burns Saddlery, Christensens Department Store, Furniture Liquidation, Ideal Dairy, Mayo Jacobsen for Richfield City Council, Jones Glass & Decorating, Lifetime Fitness, Little Wonder Cafe, Little Wonder Travel, Monroe Main Center, New Hope Baptist Church, Pepperbelly's Restaurant, Richfield of Dreams Home Furnishings, Sandi's Drive Inn, Sevier Valley Health Essentials, SOS Staffing Services, Staples Art Center & Gallery, or Rose Wichael-Realtor. To schedule videotaping of your new commercial, contact Ideal Living Media by responding to this email address, or by calling (435) 633-4195. • Get cable TV free and make your computer happy, too! Both your TV and computer are important communication tools. Now when bundled together, you get Cable TV FREE, or save $10.70 with any cable TV package. . Not to mention your computer will be happy with a super-high speed cable modem internet connection. Centracom's cable network was built for high-bandwidth content delivery. It just makes sense that your computer should have access to all that high-bandwidth content too. Cable Internet Pricing Cable Customers: Up to 5 Mbps $24.25 Non-Cable Customers: Up to 5 Mbps $34.95 To have CentraCom call you, visit http://www.centracom.com/idealliving . Your subscription, available in nearly every part of Sevier County, helps support Ideal Living's services. We appreciate your support! • If you need help with a web site (www.ideallivingmedia.com/portfolio), or just have a news tip to share, give Ideal Living Media a call at 633-4195. Thank you! • Musical group Jericho Road will be performing at the Sevier Valley Center Theater TONIGHT -- Monday, November 5th -- at 7 p.m. The concert by the popular, Utah-based, Backstreet Boys-style band will benefit the Pinnacle Foundation, and will include a silent auction with local businesses' support. The band's upbeat, family-friendly music means fun for all ages. To purchase tickets, stop by the SVC Theater TONIGHT. See you there! Also, visit the Daily Thought Blog on the Pinnacle Foundation's web site at: http://www.pinnaclewilderness.org/blog . A recent favorite: "There is absolutely no pain in change or growth. The pain is in the resistance to the change or growth." • Tomorrow is voting day! Many local city council positions are up for grabs, along with the school vouchers issue that everyone is talking about. Be sure to show you care about our communities by voting tomorrow! Find your polling location here. For example, Richfield's 11th precinct will be voting at the Sevier Valley Center's Atrium. Look for election results as they become available here. • Congratulations to Tony Linton, who won the B.C. Rich "Warlock" Metal Master electric guitar at the Monroe Halloween Block Party at Monroe City Lions Park on Halloween. He reportedly donated lots of canned foods for his entries, all of which benefitted Central Utah Food Sharing, the food pantry serving Central Utah. Many Monroe businesses pitched in to make it a great celebration, with free hot chocolate, prize giveaways, and more. It was fun, and sure to become an annual event. Mechanical Skies played an exciting set, joined for a few songs with the great Michele Crisp. See you there next year! • Larsen's Ace Hardware is completing their huge expansion -- doubling their size. With the addition, JR Munchies is now offering their delicious hamburgers and other foods inside the new-and-improved Ace Hardware in Richfield. Stop by for lunch, and check out their enlarged toy, kitchen supply, and Christmas areas, along with their many, many home care and building products. And don't forget to look for the BBQ truck out front several days each week. • Yet more trouble for NEVCO/Sevier Power... In addition to local rumors that the controversial project is nearing bankruptcy, the Salt Lake Tribune has been running investigative stories on Aaron Tilton, a Utah representative from Springville, exploring a potential conflict-of-interest. Tilton was a former (current?) consultant for NEVCO. He has been pushing for a nuclear power plant along the Green River, and introduced legislation which would have made it harder for citizens groups to sue proposed power projects, like the controversial coal-fired power plant in Sigurd which is being opposed by what now seems to be a large majority of local citizens. The failed legislation would have required environmental groups to put large amounts of money in a bond before they could sue. Now it appears that Tilton himself is an owner of the company which is trying to build what would be Utah's first nuclear power plant. Public awareness of the potential conflict-of-interest arose when he testified before a legislative meeting he himself sat on, on behalf of his company. More on the story here: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7365878 . • We previously reported that the new Home Depot in Richfield was offering medical benefits to their full-time employees and their families. It appears they are actually offering benefits to all their employees -- whether full- or part-time. • There is speculation that the Target store, said to be planned for Richfield, hasn't begun construction on the property south of Wal-mart due to problems with a Native Americans' land situation. The property was once a summer camp for Dine (Navajo) students, before the Richfield Dorm was built in Richfield. • A DVD of the 2007 Extreme Horsemanship Challenge, held at this year's county fair, is now available at the Richfield and Salina IFA Country Stores. This exciting contest tests horse and rider as they face extreme challenges, showing their courage and skill, all in a race against time. • Did you know it takes four impressions of your business' ads to get today's consumers to ask themselves, "Should I patronize this business?" That's the generally-accepted rule-of-thumb. But how do you get your message to local citizens four different times? How about trying local television? You can reach approximately 15,000 viewers for those four times during the average TV program, featuring fun and upbeat local events. Most viewers live right here in Sevier and south Sanpete county and watch the area's major television provider -- CentraCom cable. Yet, the cost for your new commercial is only $100 per month! Presenting your custom-made commercial on Central Utah's local television station is a proven, effective -- and inexpensive -- way to reach more customers. Just ask any of our current advertisers: Barney Outdoor Outfitters, Burns Saddlery, Christensens Department Store, Furniture Liquidation, Ideal Dairy, Mayo Jacobsen for Richfield City Council, Jones Glass & Decorating, Lifetime Fitness, Little Wonder Cafe, Little Wonder Travel, Monroe Main Center, New Hope Baptist Church, Pepperbelly's Restaurant, Richfield of Dreams Home Furnishings, Sandi's Drive Inn, Sevier Valley Health Essentials, SOS Staffing Services, Staples Art Center & Gallery, or Rose Wichael-Realtor. To schedule videotaping of your new commercial, contact Ideal Living Media by responding to this email address, or by calling (435) 633-4195. • Get cable TV free and make your computer happy, too! Both your TV and computer are important communication tools. Now when bundled together, you get Cable TV FREE, or save $10.70 with any cable TV package. . Not to mention your computer will be happy with a super-high speed cable modem internet connection. Centracom's cable network was built for high-bandwidth content delivery. It just makes sense that your computer should have access to all that high-bandwidth content too. Cable Internet Pricing Cable Customers: - Up to 5 Mbps - $24.25 Non-Cable Customers: - Up to 5 Mbps - $34.95 To have CentraCom call you visit http://www.centracom.com/idealliving . Your subscription, available in nearly every part of Sevier County, helps support Ideal Living's services. We appreciate your support! • If you need help with a web site (www.ideallivingmedia.com/portfolio), or just have a news tip to share, give Ideal Living Media a call at 633-4195. Thank you! • October brings lots of fun, fall events to Central Utah. Here's a few local events coming up soon: • Win the Warlock! Win a fine, B.C. Rich "Warlock Metal Master" electric guitar at the Monroe Halloween Block Party at Monroe City Lions Park on October 31, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Fun for the whole family: Costume contest, Coloring contest, Pumpkin carving contest, Guitar giveaway and live band, Mechanical Skies (a group made up of Henry Reese, Monroe Main Center owner, and several local kids in his guitar classes), along with DJ music. Entrance for the Halloween block party, as well as entries for the guitar giveaway, will be food items donated to Central Utah Food Sharing, the food pantry serving the Six County area. To see the guitar (which is a fine, well-made, musical instrument) (and get in extra entries), bring food donations -- canned foods are fine -- to Monroe Main Center, located kitty-corner from the Monroe city offices at the corner of Main and Center streets. The Halloween Block Party will be the first of an annual event, and is sponsored by many Monroe businesses: Bullies, Chisholm Family Dentistry (who, it is believed, will be passing out toothbrushes), Crisp Grocery, Monroe Inn, Monroe Main Center, MMC Chameleon Room, SageBrush Grill, and | |||