This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
This would be incomprehensible except for the fact that I live in Utah. In the 21st century. Where politics and cronyism trump good sense, vision and fair play everywhere.
Even in rural Wayne County, population around 2,600, where county commissioners are today seriously considering allowing their favored local businessmen to establish a 120-acre gravel pit and rock crushing operation in a pristine area of the county known for its sustained high winds.
The proposed location is currently zoned residential/agricultural, and is situated within a mile or two of two of its more pastoral communities: Torrey and Teasdale.
Hundreds of local residents have attended comment meetings and written letters strenuously protesting this proposal, citing numerous objections, not the least of which is the release of toxic substances upon the local population and flora and fauna during the many years the pit is proposed to be operational.
The compelling justification for this new pit is to allow the local business to become more "competitive." New jobs? None. Expansion? Not so much. Just to simply become more "competitive."
It will be hard to blame this pending disaster on President Obama.
Judith M. Teasdale
Torrey