September 13, 2018
The Insider
Page 2
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Ham Radio
I enjoyed Bonnie Mangold’s article on CPR and ham radio. As she points out hams can provide contingency communications in the event of a disaster. In order to become a ham (nobody really knows the origin of the term ‘ham’) you need to obtain a license from the FCC. To operate in the ham bands without a license is illegal and you are subject to serious fines, like $10,000 per violation. But it easy enough to pass a simple test that allows you Technician class privileges on the VHF, UHF, and limited HF bands. Morse code is no longer a requirement for any class of license. For more information on getting your license, contact the American Radio Relay League at ARRL.org. The nearest testing site is in Cedar City. Contact the Rainbow Canyons Amateur Radio Club (www.rcarc.info). You may also contact me at scpKi7L@gmail.com. Amateur radio can be a very technical hobby, or just for 'rag chewing'. Hams have their own satellites in orbit, bounce signals off the moon, support county EOCs, use digital communication techniques, talk with other hams around the world and in space, and yes, many astronauts are hams! Whether you want to learn electronic skills or just chat, ham radio is fun and doesn't have to be expensive! There are about a dozen ham radio operators in Garfield County, with about 5 of us currently active. We hold an informal ‘rag chew’ net Wednesdays at 2000 hrs (8pm local) on the Mt Dutton repeater, 147.160+, 100 hz tone. Stations from Iron and Beaver counties often check in. If you can hit the repeater please join us. All within range are welcome. Stephen Peterson, Ki7L, Hatch
The 'Straight Party' Ballot Option Causes Confusion for Many
When I hear of great candidates running as 'Unaffiliated' or third party, I automatically cringe with worry they'll endure the same shock I did back in 2012 when I ran for office on a third-party ticket. At that time (and again in 2016) I was dismayed to discover how many people didn't realize they could vote for any candidate on the November general election ballot. Many people, young and old, had the mistaken impression that in both elections they were limited to voting only for candidates within their own political ranks! They somehow missed the fact that this restriction applies only to the June Primary election—the one in which we are in fact limited to voting from among the candidates of our own political party to ferret out the most popular for the general.. Many people I spoke with at their door would say they liked everything about my candidacy, and even that they regretted not being able to vote for me (in November) because they were registered as a _________ (political party). I'd jump to explain the difference between June primary election's limited voting option versus that of the November general election in which all candidateoptions are open to every voter. "The November general election ballot will have candidates from every party on the ballot for you to choose from," I'd say. Their response often would be, "Well my ballot always shows—right up front—where I select the party I can vote for, and since I'm a registered Democrat (or Republican), I have to mark the D (or R)." (Some even said they'd mark both their straight ticket option and then also mark a vote for their own party's candidates.) When I explained that every name listed on the general election ballot in November are names they can vote for—no matter party affiliation, they seemed surprised. Some didn't believe me. Others replied (in effect): "Oh, wow, all this time I thought only 'Unaffiliated' voters could do that. I didn't realize that I (as a registered Democrat or Republican) also could vote for any of those candidates!" Needless to say, it was quite discouraging to discover how many voters in our six-county district are confused in this way. This meant that I, and all other candidates running outside the two-party system, had a huge additional strike against us. Four years later, in 2016, I witnessed the same misconceptions among roughly a fifth of voters I spoke with. The 'straight-party' ballot option encourages uninformed voting. It also distorts the playing field for candidates, which is a huge disservice to Utah voters. Some of the best candidates are found outside the two-party system. Unaffiliated candidates aren't bound by party-politics, and aren't beholden to corporate sponsors. Third party and Unaffiliated candidates are the most likely to build bridges across party-lines to get things done. They could be and often are our very best option, yet go unnoticed by so many voters due in large part by the 'straight-party' voting option on our ballots. Most states have removed straight-party voting from their ballots. Utah is among only eight other states to continue such a practice. Nearly every year our state legislators take up this question, but vote (by large majority) to continue the practice. Seems they don't want our ballots to let it be clear that voters have other choices. I guess it just doesn't serve their own interests? Ty Markham, Torrey Former candidate for Utah House
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It’s About Fairness The Wayne County November Ballot Initiative & Fair Representation
To All Garkane Members
Insider
The
A few years ago, I was part of a citizen group that worked with the county to develop short-term rental regulations. Airbnb had changed the landscape, and the county wanted to make sure safety was attended to, that short-term rentals were paying taxes, etc. I felt the commissioners and county staff were excellent to deal with, and that we had a mutually beneficial outcome. Later, I got to wondering why, over many years, the three county commissioners were virtually always from Bicknell, Loa, and Lyman, and not set up the way our local school district was - with representatives from each district. It was explained to me that we have an "at-large” electoral system, where people can be from anywhere in the county and run, and that their job is to represent the whole county. It seemed odd to me that residents in the center part of the county (Teasdale, Torrey, and Grover) and the eastern part (Notom, Caineville, and Hanksville) were hardly ever represented among the commissioners. Also, that no one was representing those parts of the county that support the tourism industry, which makes up a significant contribution to the local economy. Back before Utah passed a revised law in March 2018, about how to change county government, I was exploring having elected representatives from geographic districts - as the school board is currently elected. Of course one solution is that this part of the county find someone to run for the commissioner slots that open. This makes sense - except the bulk of the population (2/3) lives in the west part of the county, so this system is somewhat unfair, as the west county folks are much more likely to vote for people they know and who represent their interests. Which leads me back to thinking that having commissioners elected by district makes much more sense. I imagine one argument might be that it will cost more $$. It might or it might not. But isn’t better representation, more fairness, and wider input worth it? Anyway, doesn't cost anything to explore our options. Recently, five sponsors supported by the Wayne County Taxpayer Association (a non-profit group), gathered signatures to put an initiative on the ballot to analyze the different kinds of county government available to us (won’t cost anything but time invested). I like the idea of a balanced, representative group of county residents reviewing our county’s diverse needs and exploring if there’s a better option - or perhaps decide there isn’t. I’ve spoken to enough folk in the county to know people at times don’t feel they have a voice. In addition, nearly 60% of the county’s property tax revenue and nearly 70% of tourism dollars are generated in the center part of the county - an area that currently has no commissioner representing it. Taxation without representation? I’m not saying the current commissioners aren’t trying to do a good job. I just think a fairer way would be for the different regions to have representation. Interestingly, our county is a bit like our country. We’ve got urban populations having more sway over politics because of their numbers —which is why, at least in part, our Founding Fathers developed the Senate system —to give even less populated areas representative muscle. Personally, I’m hoping we’ll shift to a system where commissioners or council members are drawn from the different districts/ areas of the county. I believe Wayne County folk have a strong sense of fairness. Shouldn’t we look at this option? Pam Parsons Dupuy, Teasdale
P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com fax 888-370-8546 Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Payroll: Trudy Stowe
Local columnists:
Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch Peg Smith - By Way of Boulder
Garkane is inviting all members who have questions about our scholarship program, unclaimed capital credits, or any other cooperative questions to attend a special open house forum to be held at the Garkane Loa office. Garkane CEO Dan McClendon along with other staff members will be in attendance to answer questions. We will hold this meeting at the Garkane Loa office on Thursday, October 11, at 6:30 p.m. We invite all to attend. Garkane Energy
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Words cannot express how thankful I am for all of you and your love and support this past few weeks at the loss of a great guy...my dad and our grandpa. The food, phone call, texts, thoughts, prayers, visits, memories shared, flowers and gifts. I am truly blessed to live in this amazing place and know so many amazing people. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart! Thanks again, The Dewey Woolsey Family
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