WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 VOL. 12 NO. 4 Sports IRONCOUNTYTODAY.COM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 Larsen headlines 4 Opinion SUU's All- 8 Showcase Conference 11 Life picks 16 Sports 20 Classifieds 23 Comics/Puzzles Merry Christmas At Christmas I no more “ desire a rose Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows." » William Shakespeare COREY BAUMGARTNER 2 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 NEWS IRON COUNTY TODAY Referendum effort underway by Kelsey KEENER it out.” IRON COUNTY TODAY Beltran added that in the midst of the uproar regarding the bill, people An effort to stop Senate Bill across various political parties are 2001 from being implemented via becoming involved and working referendum has gained momentum together. throughout the state and across “There’s a movement of people multiple political parties. who do want change,” she said. “As Former legislator Fred Cox began much as I dislike this bill, it has been reaching out to find support for a exciting to see people get excited referendum after Tax Restructuring about politics and want to get Revisions bill was passed during involved. A lot of people have apathy, a special session on Dec. 12. A and I understand that – I have kids, Facebook group called Utah 2019 Tax I have a job. We’re all busy, we want Referendum was started to coor- to hope that our representatives dinate efforts to block the bill, and are going to represent us, but this is has accumulated more than 10,000 really calling them to account.” members. Democratic Congressional The referendum has been filed, Candidate Ashely Jolin also com- and efforts to fund printing the mented on the referendum effort packets to gather signatures have across the state and the quick time- begun as well. As of Friday, just over frame in which the bill was passed. $8,000 was donated to the cause. “This is not a democrat/republican Many are concerned about the issue, this is a social injustice,” she food and gas tax increases the bill said. “Folks are united on this, and it will pass: the state was pushed through sales tax on food by select legislators up will increase from I feel at the Hill. It did not 1.75 percent to 4.85 receive a two-thirds percent; the cost of that this majority vote, which fuel will increase by is why the referendum six cents a gallon in was an is an opportunity for 2020, and then by 10 “ pushing back. … I cents in 2021. injustice feel that this was an The bill also injustice and a slap lowers income tax and a slap in the face to voters from 4.95 percent to and to the democratic 4.66 percent, and sets in the face process. It was not asides funds for tax well thought out and breaks to low- and to voters…” does not reflect what moderate-income the larger community residents. » Ashely Jolin wants on both sides of Chair of the Utah the aisle.” Libertarian Party Amber Christiansen Jolin also expressed her concern Beltran said even with rebates and over the increased food and gas incentives, the bill will still compli- taxes, particularly for rural house- cate things for those who don’t pay holds and families who may already income taxes, such as students and be experiencing food insecurity. homeless individuals. “These families are already in a “Those in our community that very vulnerable state, so to increase don’t have access to this information this tax is just going to put them will be those who are hurt the most,” in an even more dire situation,” she she said. “It is an unfair tax on the said. poor, because a higher percentage of Vice Chair for the Utah their income is spent on food.” Libertarian Party Barry Short also She also questioned the reasoning explained that the bill will require behind the apparently sudden businesses to charge sales tax for passing of the bill, which many shipping and handling. The bill legislators said was in preparation makes shipping a product to buyer for the future. or user a taxable shipment, but “This special session just felt shipping to reseller is not a taxable really rushed. More time does need shipment. to be devoted for (tax restructuring) “Let’s say your friend owns a because it isn’t a crisis right now – it plumbing supply business, suppose isn’t,” she said. “Our economy is thriving, so we do have time to work see REFERENDUM » 5 IRON COUNTY TODAY NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 3 Iron County rancher wins Utah Farm Bureau Discussion Meet from Matt HARGREAVES receive a Case IH Farmall 50A UARTAH F M BUREAU tractor, third place finalists will receive a Case IH 40” SANDY — Dave Cox Combination Roll Cabinet of Iron County won the & Top Chest and a $500 2019 Utah Farm Bureau parts card, as well as $2,200 Young Farmer and Rancher of Stanley Black & Decker Discussion Meet. The com- merchandise, and Fourth petition was concluded at Place receives a Case IH 40” the recent Utah Farm Bureau Combination Roll Cabinet & Annual Convention in Layton Top Chest and a $500 parts and is considered a top card. honor for young farmers and About the Utah Farm ranchers in Utah. Bureau The Discussion Meet The Utah Farm Bureau is contest is designed to sim- the largest general farm and ulate a committee meeting ranch organization in the where discussion and active state with more than 34,000 participation are expected member families. Its mission from each participant. More is to inspire all Utah families than a simple debate, this to connect, succeed, and competition is evaluated on COURTESY PHOTO grow through the ‘Miracle of an exchange of ideas and UTAH FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT RON GIBSON (LEFT) poses for a photo with Dave Cox on his new Honda Agriculture’. The Farm Bureau ATV, along with Matt Swan of IFA, who helped sponsor the award. information on a pre-deter- is a non-partisan, voluntary mined agriculture topic. The highlight Farm Bureau’s Originally from Kane competition. For winning the organization, and its efforts judges look for the contestant involvement in those steps. County, Dave Cox and his competition, he received a are based on grassroots that offers constructive The competitors spoke on wife, Jessica and their young 2019 Honda ATV courtesy of policies developed by criticism, cooperation, and topics ranging this year from daughter, make their home IFA, and an expense-paid trip members at the local, county, communication while analyz- opioid and mental health in Cedar, where they are to the American Farm Bureau state and national levels. It is ing agricultural problems and concerns in rural America, to students at Southern Utah Federation (AFBF) annual affiliated with the American developing solutions. emerging food technologies University. Dave works as the meeting in Austin, Texas. Farm Bureau Federation, the Participants build basic and using trade to benefit yard manager at the Cedar Dave will compete at world’s largest general farm discussion skills, develop an agriculture. Livestock Market and part- the American Farm Bureau organization, with more than understanding of important “This was a thrill to win time at the SUU Valley Farm. Discussion Meet against 6 million family members in agricultural issues and this competition,” Cox said. His family has a background in Discussion Meet winners from 50 states and Puerto Rico. For explore how groups can pool “My wife and I feel fortunate the livestock marketing indus- across the country. In 2020, more information, go to the knowledge to reach con- to live in this great part of try, with his father Duke as a the national winner of the Utah Farm Bureau Web site at sensus and solve problems. our state and to interact representative for Superior Discussion Meet will receive a http://www.utahfarmbureau. Successful participants are with many great farmers and Livestock Auction as well as new 2020 Ford vehicle (up to org, ‘Utah Farm Bureau’ on productive thinkers, rather ranchers. I love advocating for recently purchasing the Cedar a value of $35,000), and paid Facebook, @MountainFarmer than emotional persuaders, our industry in the variety of City Livestock Market. registration to the AFBF YF&R on Twitter, Utah Farm and assist the group in interactions I have with people Cox competed with more Leadership Conference in Bureau on Instagram, or on creating ways to implement in our community and beyond than 15 other contestants Louisville, Kentucky courtesy YouTube at www.youtube.com/ the solutions discussed and through social media.” from around the state in the of Ford. The runner-up will utahfarmer. 4 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 NEWS IRON COUNTY TODAY OP INION A DMINISTRATION From the Editor R . Gail Stahle PUB LISHER [email protected] Merry Thank You D eborah Martineau O FFICE MANAGER officemanager@ would like to wish our ironcountytoday.com readers in Iron County and A DVERTISING beyond a Merry Christmas, IHappy Holidays, Season’s S cott Stahle Greetings and every other way S ALES MANAGER of saying that I hope that your [email protected] Christmas Day and season 801.755.5999 are enjoyable and memorable. Patti Bostick Enjoy it with, or by thinking S ALES REPRESENTATIVE about friends, family and loved [email protected] ones, wherever they may be. COREY 435.592.1030 Also, with the new year BAUMGARTNER EDITORIAL upon us, each of us here at the MANAG ING EDITOR Iron County Today want to Corey Baumgartner thank each of you for your support in so many ways M ANAGING EDITOR – advertising, writing, photographing, designing, of the [email protected] delivering, reading, sharing your stories and helping Thought Week Kelsey Keener make your community newspaper not only the from the desk of R.