Commission looks to address issues with Greyhound bus

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

The Emery County Commissioners met in their August meeting.County Attorney Mike Olsen said Sheriff Greg Funk was transporting the prisoner who caused problems on the Greyhound bus and was removed from the bus in Green River.
He was sent to prison today. He has caused the county a lot of trouble and expenses. Commissioner Wilson wondered if the Greyhound bus has a business license to stop in Green River. Do we have to have a bus stop in Green River?
Capt. Kyle Ekker said Sgt. Mitch Vetere has tried to get the supervisors at Greyhound to address the concerns of the bus passengers being let off in Green River. These passengers can drain the resources of the county and other local agencies too. The commission will look to address the concerns with the bus company.
Commission chairman Lynn Sitterud drew for the Safety Incentive Visa Gift Cards. Tifani Baker and Becky Jewkes, Leslie Reese and Cory Worwood will be the recipients for this month. All full and part time employees are placed in the drawing.
The board approved the ratification of the signing of an amendment to the contract between Emery County and the Division of Wildlife Resources regarding funding for the Crandall Canyon Memorial Monument Retaining Wall Project. The DWR is contributing $30,000 to the project.
The board ratified the signing of the Agreement between Emery County and Johansen and Tuttle Engineering regarding the Crandall Canyon Memorial Monument Retaining Wall Project. Commissioner Kent Wilson explained the project was an emergency and the work was approved and completed quickly.
He said the commissioners and the forest service had visited the site to determine what should be done to protect the Crandall Canyon Miners Memorial. They identified the risk for flooding off the burn scar should heavy rains come like they usually do each summer and early fall.
The project came together in seven days and the forest service contributed $75,000. Over that weekend, Johansen and Tuttle Engineering designed the project and work started. Murray Energy came up with the additional $16,000 needed to complete the funding. “It was an impressive feat. I don’t know how we would explain to those families if that sacred area was flooded. One of the troubling things I’ve dealt with since becoming commissioner is how the government takes so long.”
Commissioner Cowley said the wall is up and poured and looks good.
The commission ratified the amount for the engineering contract.
Tina Carter from the Emery County Travel Bureau requested commission approval for the Marketing Match Funds for Ferron City for the Mud Bog and for MECCA Fall Bike Festival. This is the first year for the Mud Bog event and $3,500 was requested for advertising. The MECCA fall festival will be coming up the end of September and advertising help was requested for this event for $3,500.
The commission approved the Quitclaim of Sand and Gravel Easement regarding the Eldon Price property. Commissioner Sitterud said this easement dates back to the 1960s and Emery County no longer has an interest in maintaining the easement. The quitclaim will be issued and the easement returned to the Price family.
Ray Petersen said the Emery County Public Lands Management Act will receive a hearing in a senate subcommittee on Wednesday.
Commissioner Wilson thanked Petersen for the responses he has put in the Emery County Progress to the letters to the editor which have been submitted by area residents.
Petersen said there were some very good letters with good questions and he feels it is important to get correct information out there to keep the public informed. He has had a lot of positive feedback and no negative comments.
Commissioner Cowley said the EMTs, and firefighters involved in the fatal Greyhound bus crash last New Year’s Eve were given an award for their work.
They will display the award on the wall at the county building.
Jesse Nielson was appointed as an at large member of the Emery County Recreation Board of Directors.
Approval was given for a 3 percent wage increase for Selina Hardman for successful completion of her 6 month orientation period as a Deputy Assessor.
Approval was given to reclassify the Safety Coordinator/Sign Manager position from a Grade 17 to Grade 18.
Approval was given to promote Thad Morris to the Safety Coordinator/Sign Manager in the Road Department. Lakota Clark was reclassified from Lead Mechanic to Mechanic I.