Dear Editor,
We wanted to express our thanks to all of the people who have spent countless hours beautifying the town of Panaca for the Sesquicentennial celebration.
We have all enjoyed the beautiful hanging baskets of flowers, as well as the large arrangements on the ground by the Town Hall and the Panaca Heritage Center along Main Street.
The Bradfield and Heiselbetz families have spent countless hours caring for the flowers and ensuring they stay healthy even long after the celebration. We would also like to recognize and express our appreciation to Dolan and Edwards Financial Services of Caliente and the Leavitt Group Insurance Agency of St. George, Utah, for purchasing the flowers.
We send our sincere gratitude to Margaret Ann Heiselbetz and Debbie Bradfield for all their hard work and many hours of service to ensure both the celebration and the beautification project was and still is a success.
Thank you,
Jack and Bev Lane and family
Panaca
Dear Editor,
To say that Monday?s meeting of the Board of Commissioners plumbed new depths in the oppression and tyranny the people of Lincoln County are subjected to in their efforts to have a voice in their local government would be an understatement.
During the Board?s opening ?public comment? section, Ed Higbee advised the audience that Item No. 13 (my agenda item regarding Ashley Hall?s contract) should not have been put on the agenda, stating you have to go through one of the Commissioners to have an item placed on their agenda. Higbee then stated that they would hear my presentation at the appropriate time.
For the record, I first obtained a blank agenda item form from the Board?s clerical staff. I then prepared my agenda item form and collected all the backup documents and submitted them to Denice Brown on Monday, Oct. 13, before Noon as required. It is my understanding that Daniel Hooge reviews the agenda items for final approval before posting. Since the agenda is posted on the internet on Tuesday, I believe Daniel Hooge had ample time to contact me and advise me of the ?commissioner approval? requirement prior to the Board Meeting. It is my understanding that this requirement did not exist prior to yesterday?s meeting – there is nothing in writing to support their contention. So, in effect, the Board created a new ?requirement? as the direct result of my requesting this agenda item.
When it (finally) came time for my agenda item, I approached the ?hot seat,? but before I could sit down, the Chairman acknowledged his cousin, Vaughn Higbee and he stated that ?Ashley Hall had no prior notice of this agenda item and was entitled to have his attorney present at the Board meeting to defend his ?interests.?? In the end, I was not allowed to speak at all on this matter. The Board then decided to table the item for Nov. 10, but as I will be unable to attend on that date, this item is to appear on the agenda Nov. 17.
At this time, I am looking for an attorney who can represent the people of Lincoln County at this meeting. If Ashley Hall will be represented by counsel, it is necessary that I have counsel as well. It is my opinion Daniel Hooge cannot represent the people in this matter due to his close association with Ashley Hall, as demonstrated by his long-term defense of Mr. Hall and the exhaustive efforts he has made to defend the secret committee including the filing of two lawsuits in direct conflict with the best interests of the people.
It should be noted that Daniel Hooge had ample time to notify Ashley Hall of the meeting, but allegedly failed to do so. Second, if Ashley Hall had no knowledge of the meeting, how was he able to instruct his employee Vaughn Higbee to attend the meeting and pump me for information in the hallway prior to the meeting? It would appear Mr. Hall is interested in knowing if I know him. Vaughn Higbee had other questions, but I refused to speak with him regarding personal matters. I do not for a moment believe that Ed Higbee (or another member of the Board) did not tell Vaughn Higbee about this agenda item.
The meeting on the 17th of November should be exciting. I?m anxious to see what new rules and procedures they come up with at that time in order to protect the interests of Ashley Hall, Vaughn Higbee and the rest of the secret committee.
Thanks to the people who attended Monday?s meeting and to all of you who have been writing and calling to voice your support.
Sincerely,
Carol White
Pioche