MOAB, Utah (AP) -- A twin-engine plane crashed and burned near an airport not far from Arches National Park in southeastern Utah, killing all 10 people on board, an official said Saturday.

The plane was fully engulfed in flames when emergency responders arrived late Friday at the site about 2 miles from the Canyonlands Field airport, and there were no survivors, Grand County Sheriff James Nyland said.

The victims including the director of a company with dermatology clinics in three states.

Nyland said the plane had taken off from the airport, about 18 miles northwest of Moab.

Lt. Steve White told KCYN radio in Moab that the plane "pancaked" and skidded along the ground.

The airplane was a King Air A-100, said Mike Fergus, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle. He said that "to the best of our knowledge" no flight plan had been filed for the trip, but he said that isn't unusual.

Representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were expected at the scene Saturday, officials said.

Nyland said the victims were the director of Red Canyon Aesthetics & Medical Spa, a dermatology clinic headquartered in Cedar City, his clinic staff and the pilot.

He identified them as pilot David White; Dr. Lansing Ellsworth; David Goddard; Mandy Johnson; Marcie Tillery, 29; Valerie Imlay, 52; Keith Shumway, 29; Dallon Ellsworth, 24; Camie Vigil, 25; and Cecilee Goddard, 25.

Lansing Ellsworth had recently started a monthly skin clinic in Moab, Nyland said.

Red Canyon Aesthetics has seven clinics in Utah, two in Nevada and one in Page, Ariz., according to the company's Web site.

Retirees turn out in droves to protect safety of students

by Fred Couzens, View News

When the 711 crossing guards in Clark County step out into the crosswalks next week as the new school year begins, they'll be carrying on a tradition that started with the Omaha (Neb.) Police Department in 1923.

Since then, the need to protect young walkers and bikers as they go to and from school hasn't changed, but the level of support for crossing guards surely has.

Take the Metropolitan Police Department's program as an example. It currently has an annual budget of $2.1 million, having grown exponentially during the last 15 years as the Clark County School District expanded in leaps and bounds.

Helen Lawhon, a Metropolitan Police crossing guard supervisor, took over the helm of the program in 1993 and has seen significant changes since then.

"When I started 15 years ago, we had 59 crossing guards and now we have 429," she said. "The difference since then is the increase in traffic and more schools. For us, this year, we're adding three new schools. It's endless."

One thing that hasn't changed too much over the years is the average age of the crossing guard.

A large proportion of those wearing the fluorescent yellow vests and carrying the "Stop" paddle are seniors who have flexible schedules and earn a check too small to live on, but enough to give them a little supplemental income.

"We have 125 crossing guards and 20 relief guards, and most of them are elderly," said Lt. Michael Garner of the Henderson Police Department's Traffic Division. "Our average pay is $9.50 an hour, and after five and 10 years, they get a raise. We even still have a couple of 20-year vets."

The same holds true in North Las Vegas among the city's 121 crossing guards who earn $9 an hour.

"A majority of our folks are retired," said Ronnie Santos, the North Las Vegas Police Department's school crossing guard coordinator. "About 90 percent of our guards are senior citizens, but we do have a few that are housewives."

In Boulder City, though, there's a somewhat lower median age. The city's eight crossing guards, who make $9 an hour, range in age from their 30s to 60s.

Boulder City Police Sgt. Jim Reed said all the city's crossing guards do a fine job, but he singled out the seniors for special praise.

"I welcome retirees because they have the old school work ethic and are under the impression that their job matters," said Reed, head of the department's Traffic Division.

Two of the senior retirees pounding the pavement every morning and afternoon in North Las Vegas are Bill Connor and Eileen Langille, who help students at the year-round Tartan Elementary School make countless trips across the 100-foot-wide intersection of Tropical Parkway at Statz Street.

"Mr. Bill, that's what the kids call me," said Connor, 74, a three-year crossing guard veteran who retired a few years ago as coin department supervisor for the Bell of Pennsylvania telephone company near Pittsburgh.

In addition to escorting children safely across the street, Connor provides other little services when needed.

"I have little children who need a Kleenex; I tie their shoes and adjust their backpacks. We have very few problems on this corner," he said.

Langille, 60, had never had any crossing guard experience until two years ago because she was busy with kids of her own.

"This job is wonderful," said the retired bank teller from Somerville, Mass. "If you love kids, you got to love it. You worry about them as if they were your own."

Each crossing guard has his or her own reasons for seeking the job.

"I'm happy to have something to do," said Connor, who moved to Southern Nevada from Pennsylvania three years ago. "As soon as I got here, I applied for the job, so really, I haven't been out of work.

Langille said, "I miss having kids around; I love children. When I first started out here, I waved to everyone, and the people would wonder if I was telling them to stop or something. Now, if I don't get to them first, they beep or wave to me."

As an indication of how well crossing guards do their job in Clark County, none of the supervisors or coordinators could recall when the last injury or fatality occurred involving a child walking across a guard-protected intersection. Garner recalled that a Henderson crossing guard was killed in the line of duty a long time ago.

Despite the laudable safety record, crossing guards still worry about the increased traffic and unsafe drivers who speed through school zones.

"Your eyes can only be in so many places," said Connor, who noted that some kids jaywalk in both directions near his North Las Vegas intersection -- crossing to get to a convenience store or to save steps getting to the front of the school. "Then you get cars with people on cell phones who don't pay attention. Then you have those who think they're driving on a highway."

No special requirements are needed to be a crossing guard, but all applicants are put through background checks to screen for a criminal record.

All local police departments provide instruction on how to be an effective crossing guard with most departments spending a majority of their training time in the field, on the crosswalk, for a real-life experience.

The first day on the job is usually a memorable experience, guards said.

"I just walked out there like I owned the whole road," Langille recalled. "After a little while, Ronnie (Santos) said, 'You're a natural.' "

All local police departments said they are constantly looking for new crossing guard recruits since seniors and retirees come and go for a variety of reasons, mainly medical.

One change that Langille said she'd like to see made in the crossing guard program is the return of the whistle, which isn't standard issue anymore.

"That would be a good suggestion," she said. "I'm all for bringing back the whistle."

Source: www.viewnews.com/2008/VIEW-Aug-19-Tue-2008/BoulderCity/23291561.html

Somewhere, somehow the governing body of Mesquite has lost its way. Recently the mayor and city council were contemplating completing a Partners In Conservation item relating to the proposed airport land when a representative of that group, also a city employee, suggested that they should wait and receive public input. That seems reasonable and logical. However, the city manager stated that “elected officials are elected to represent.”

A little political history is in order. This country is a democratic republic. That means that the people elect other people to represent them at all four levels of our governing: federal, state, regional and local. At the federal level, the people have the right to contact, either individually or as a group, members of Congress and the President. At the state level, again the people have the right to contact their legislators and governor in the same way, but with the additional methods of initiative, referendum and recall. At the local level, the level which should allow for the highest participation of democracy, the people should have direct access to and control of their community.

However, in Mesquite the people are denied their democratic right to vote on significant issues and capital projects that affect the direction that the community will grow and that affect the citizens pocket books. The proposed new charter memorializes this disparity! People in other cities of Nevada and in other states have the right and obligation to vote on these same type of issues. Boulder City is an excellent example of democracy in action. Mesquite is on the other end of the political scale.

Recently I sent a letter to the governing body, the city attorney and the city manager with suggestions for changes to the proposed city charter which, if taken seriously, will restore the concept of “checks and balances.” Also, it was suggested that sections be added which would allow for initiative, referendum and recall; require a public vote on capital projects over a specified cost; and, establish a civil service board to ensure that politics doesn’t influence the actions of city employees.

Our mayor, city council and city manager constantly remind us that they are working in our “best” interest; that they are striving to ensure that as our population increases sufficient business, employment opportunities and infrastructure is in place to accommodate the projected growth; and, like all good parents, they expect us to follow them without argument.

I would like to see the revolutionary political concept that the founders of our great country created in place and used to the utmost in Mesquite.

Charles W. Wise
Mesquite, NV

Source: thespectrum.com

By STEVE TETREAULT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU 
Elections

WASHINGTON -- State Sen. Dina Titus has chosen not to interrupt her campaign for Congress, and will skip the Democratic National Convention in Denver, an aide said Monday.

The candidate for the 3rd Congressional District seat in the House "is going to stay in the district. She decided she could get a lot done here," spokesman Andrew Stoddard said.

Democrats are meeting from Aug. 25-28.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Jon Porter has already said he will not attend his party's national convention in St. Paul, Minn., from Sept. 1-4.

The Porter-Titus contest is among the most closely watched House races in the nation. The district once was evenly divided between the parties, but Democrats have gained a 25,000-head lead in registered voters.

The district includes Henderson, Boulder City, Laughlin, parts of Summerlin and portions of Clark County east of Las Vegas.

While the Democrats' main order of business in Denver will be to formally nominate Barack Obama for the presidency, conventions usually also offer chances for down-ticket Democrats to network.

But Titus would be wasting her time if she went to Denver, according to Mark Peplowski, a political science professor at the College of Southern Nevada.

"Dina and Jon don't need exposure among the rank and file" who will be at the conventions, Peplowski said.

"They are both working on the independent voters who will make all the difference in that race, and there aren't going to be many independents in Denver and St. Paul," he said.

Meanwhile, former university regent Jill Derby, the Democratic challenger in the 2nd Congressional District, plans to attend only the first two days of the convention, spokeswoman Kristen Cullen said.

Derby plans to meet with labor leaders and take part in an event sponsored by Emily's List, the political action committee that works to elect women to Congress.

Meeting with operatives in Denver "saves her a trip to Washington," Cullen said. "But she doesn't want to dedicate too much time there. She wants to spend time campaigning."

Like Porter, Rep. Dean Heller is skipping the Republican National Convention in St. Paul in favor of campaigning in the Northern Nevada-based district.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.

 Source: LVRJ.com

Hospital District Ballot Question
Town Hall meeting provides evidence that passions run high over proposal
by Fred Couzens The View News

Boulder City Hospital officials opened a hornet's nest of unrest July 30 when they held the first of what could be several Town Hall meetings concerning the Nov. 4 advisory question on whether a Boulder City Hospital District and tax should be created.

More than 70 local residents, many of whom were either hospital board members, hospital foundation members or employees, filled the Boulder City Library's two meeting rooms as Hospital Administrator Tom Maher kicked off the public relations campaign that stressed the need for a hospital district.

He mentioned the quantifiable benefits of having an open hospital -- easy emergency room access, first aid at events and public outreach on health aid -- and other pluses that can't be quantified, such as enhanced property values, the security of having quality health care close to home and a facility paramedics can access quickly in life-threatening situations.

"About 76 percent of the people we see are from Boulder City and the other 24 percent are from Henderson or are tourists," he said. "This is a limited growth market. Our demographics show 30 percent of our patients are over 65, which is twice the number of those in Nevada and the United States, and 60 percent are over 45, so we do have an aging population here."

Other than fighting market issues like the demographics, having a small service area, limited growth and proximity to the larger metropolitan area, Maher touched on "the challenges of cost cutting and revenue and price increases," billings that fall short when collected revenues are tallied, competition that leads to cost increases, subsidies that lead to financial viability, facility maintenance, and programs and services.

But the hornet's nest got stirred when Maher also talked about the 15-cent per $100 of assessed value tax and listed several "fear factor" issues if there was no hospital district.

Those issues include an average half-million-dollar loss for eight years, negative cash flow by 2012, elimination of nonrevenue generating activities like health fairs and flu shots, emergency surgeries and intensive care services, selling the facility to a private hospital corporation and "the consequence of closure" locally.

Some of the ripple effects from closing hospital doors, Maher said, would include the displacement of 43 long-term care patients, the loss of jobs for one-third of the staff that lives in Boulder City and the compromising of emergency/paramedic response.

The hospital estimates the 15-cent tax would generate $105 annually on a home with a $200,000 taxable value, and would raise $263 each year for a home with a taxable value of $500,000. Only property owners in Boulder City would be affected.

Even though most of those attending the Town Hall meeting expressed the view that the hospital was a luxury they could ill afford to lose, the estimates on the new tax burden didn't sit well. When it came to talking about taxes, property owners spoke out loud and clear.

"Why do the homeowners have to carry the burden?" asked Boulder City resident Mark Koenig. "Have you thought about a sales tax? I got my tax bill last week and if you add the 3 percent for their increase, my bill will go from $150 to $185. And each year it will go up 3 percent, so as a retired person in 10 years I'm going to have to pay $900 more in county tax for your program."

Koenig, who used to live in Alaska, mentioned a program there where people were taxed an extra half-cent of sales tax and "it worked out to be wonderful" because it taxed everybody, not just property owners.

At least three other speakers from the audience echoed Koenig's sentiment for seeking a sales tax increase instead of a property-based tax, a possibility Maher said could be studied.

"Yes, I'm willing to look at the sales tax increase," Maher told City Councilman Travis Chandler after the meeting. "The problem, though, with a sales tax is that it's not stable like the property tax, but I'm open to any alternative that will make this work."

Another speaker challenged the hospital trustees regarding their actions and reluctance to open the financial books to the public.

"You say you've had a ... shortfall since 2000, and you have this board, so why is it nothing has been done about this until now?" asked Jenny Tipton of Boulder City. "Will the financial statements... be available for Boulder City residents?"

"By appointment, you can come in and see the audited financial statements," Maher answered. "As for the first question, I've only been here 15 months so I can't speak for my predecessor."

When the questioning about the past -- the pre-Tom Maher era -- got heated, the administrator dodged all queries, saying he couldn't talk about what former administrator Kim Crandall did or didn't do.

Maher conceded to the group that the hospital district needs to go on in perpetuity and not be dissolved in 10 or 15 years, that the 15-cent rate could increase and that the Clark County Commission will be the controlling factor regarding tax distribution.

"There's no sunset clause on this," Maher said in response to a question. "If the voters of Boulder City want to close (the district), they can put it on the ballot. What this is is it's the issue of a small town hospital and the reality is that it has to be subsidized. Clark County will act as the hospital board of trustees..."

Some brought up insurance issues and the fact that some insurance companies don't recognize the hospital, while one woman made a bleak reference about a possible closure.

"If Boulder City Hospital closes, we're moving," said Melanie Springer, a Boulder City resident and hospital worker who verifies insurance coverages for patients. "The point is that if the facility is no longer in existence, my husband and I have made a plan to move. We won't live in a town without immediate medical service."

Summing up the Town Hall gathering, Maher said there was "a negative pall over the meeting" and estimated a 60-40 percentage split among those in attendance with the majority opposed to creating a hospital district.