I recently returned from a meeting of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Many of the participants had retired from their newspapers. A few were using walkers and wheelchairs. A lot of others, like me, were past retirement age but still working for their papers…
I came to Sanpete County to help a growing food manufacturing company finance its growth. While working on the project, we kept hearing, “There is no housing. Can you help us build housing?” When we met with new Mayor John Scott, he outlined three major goals and asked if we could help him accomplish them….
I know and understand that you don’t usually accept or publish anonymous letters. However, I am honestly fearful for my livelihood if I sign my name to this letter. If you choose not to publish it, please at least independently verify what I’m sharing and publish your own story about these things so the public…
Priesthood power only maintained by meekness, long suffering An open letter to the citizens of Sanpete County and especially to those living in Spring City. After reading Suzanne Dean’s article about Joe and Lee Bennion dated February 21,2025, my heart was troubled. I have been in Spring City many times, walking your streets and watching…
I find many of Donald Trump’s statements to be vile and offensive. But what upsets me most is the way he vilifies immigrants, legal and illegal. A few examples: Undocumented immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.” “These are the worst criminals in the world… These people are the most violent people on Earth.”…
I want to recognize and thank the United We Stand organization and the many people who made the celebration this year such a memorable event. It was my honor to share some of my experiences from 50 years ago that so much shaped my life’s journey. Once again, being a part of the heartland of…
One of the first things students learn in driver education is the idea of the right of way. Examples of the right of way include “first come, first serve” at a four-way stop, or how the car on the left goes last when crossing paths with someone coming the other way. Another right of way…
I would like to address some of the opinions that appeared in your editorial on Sept. 7, 2022. For context, I have 35 years of federal and state government working experience and over 20 years of supervisory experience. I agree that Mt Pleasant should have someone who oversees the daily operations of the city. That…
Question: The Inflation Reduction Act, which just passed Congress without a single Republican vote, includes three provisions the Biden administration, and nonpartisan experts, say have the potential to reduce the deficit by more than $300 billion. First, the bill includes $80 billion in additional funding for the IRS over the next 10 years, including an…
MANTI— Having a victim advocate isn’t something new in the county, but something that is making a big difference, according to Sanpete County Attorney Kevin Daniels. Stephanie Sorensen started working in the County Attorney’s Office as the victim advocate in No- vember of 2019, the third person to hold the job. Of the three advocates,…
The Lynn Beeley situation in Mt. Pleasant could have been handled sooner, more effectively and more confidentially if the city had a city manager. Mt. Pleasant is certainly large enough and has enough employees to justify following the lead of Fairview, Ephraim, Manti and Gunnison and bringing aboard a trained, experienced top-level manager. The airing…
After stumbling through my 2022 Notice of Property Valuation & Tax Change notice, I sent the following e-mail to County Commissioner Edwin Sunderland concerning the Central Utah Water Conservancy (CUWC) District. “What benefits are accruing to Sanpete County as a result of membership in the CUWC District? How much water has found its way into…
Human resource issues are always sensitive, all the more so when they involve public employees who perform important work for a county or community. The two terminations in Mt. Pleasant, where issues have spilled into city council meetings and into this newspaper, illustrate why local governments must have crystal clear policies and ordinances to handle…
Editor’s Note: Phillip B. Gottfredson in a volunteer historian for the Timpanogas nation. He is the author of “Black Hawk’s Mission of Peace,” published in 2019. He lives in Arizona but spends summers in Utah. Contrary to statements when the Sanpitch monument was unveiled and the report on the unveiling in the Sanpete Messenger, Sanpitch was not Ute!…
I appreciate the informative articles regarding water issues in Sanpete County: “Wales imposes moratorium on water connections,” “Incorporation, conservation easements may be solutions to development pressures,” (The Sanpete Mes- senger, June 15, 2022.) “Spring City looks at water connection issues, police will enforce nuisances,” (The Sanpete Messenger, April 13, 2022.) and “BYU tapped as major lead in…