Excerpt:
More challenging for me, and frustrating at times, has been trying to separate my various editorial caps when assembling content for The Zephyr, to the satisfaction of my readers. Over the years, I’ve been blessed by the participation of many talented writers who have contributed to the quality of this publication in immeasurable ways. But ultimately, the choice of content falls on me.
My own contributions have varied in style and purpose; I’ve certainly never hesitated to express an opinion in these pages, and political humor, in print or via my doodles, has been a staple of this rag, but I’ve also invested a lot of time and effort researching and writing investigative reports. This kind of journalism is the most difficult.
To read more of Jim’s story, click the link below:
Take it or Leave it: SOME PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON THE MOAB CITY HALL STORY, AND LOCAL JOURNALISM IN GENERAL…by Jim Stiles
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“RUMORS AND FALSE STATEMENTS”
THIS is basically how Moab’s Mayor Dave Sakrison summed up The Zephyr’s 14,000 word investigative report called:
“WHAT’S PAST IS PROLOGUE—Three Small Towns and Their Common Bond, City Manager Rebecca Davidson” The article has now been read more than 8000 times.
Here’s a link to the original story: http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/…/whats-past-is-prologu…/
And Click the Image to Read Mayor Dave’s response in the Moab Sun News:
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Excerpt:
Despite what had seemed like a fantastic subsidy from the government, their premiums would still amount to nearly $7,000 a year for the cheapest plan. And they would get no co-pay, no co-insurance. They wouldn’t get any help from their insurance at all until they had paid a $12,000 yearly deductible. The next cheapest plan added $3,000 to their yearly cost and barely reduced the deductible at all. To get halfway decent coverage, they would pay over $20,000 a year in premiums.
I felt awful. Here, I’d been such a cheerleader for the ACA. I had told them so many times how cheaply we got healthcare. That our premiums were low and, even better, our deductibles were reasonable, with minimal co-pays for doctor visits, etc. Affordable Care had treated us well. But, I hadn’t known–thanks to a loophole in the law, and the cigarettes in their hands, our good friends were screwed.
To read more of Tonya’s story, follow the link below:
Sowing Clover: Let’s Not Kill Smokers, and BONUS: The Wages of Slim…by Tonya Morton
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The Sand Flats and the Slick Rock Bike Trailhead
Spring 1995
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Excerpt:
Let me get the worst part of this story out of the way right now – my dog died on October 4, last year. It was the day of the Feast of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals. I’m not that religious and I’m not a Catholic, but he did have impeccable timing. He graced my life for nine and a half years and changed it more than he could ever know. Jim has been asking me to write about him for a while and I guess this is finally the time.
To read Paul’s article and see his incredible photos of Elko the Desert Dog, click the link below:
Vlachos’ Views: The Desert Dog…by Paul Vlachos
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The Zephyr recently received a DVD of an old documentary film by Ray Garner. The film is silent; Mr. Garner exhibited this film to audiences around the country and provided ‘live’ narration. The film is now in the public domain and I’m happy to present a series of clips from it. This excerpt shows a very different and quieter downtown Moab in the Summer of 1949…JS
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Excerpt:
Davidson had been Moab’s city manager less than six months; selected from 57 applicants by the Moab City Council, her previous work experience, in similar positions in Timnath, Colorado and Kemmerer, Wyoming had been marked by heated controversy, angry public debate, and even litigation. Now, it must have felt like deja vu, as she showed Davey a chair and advised him to sit down.
Davidson announced to Davey that on the previous evening, the Moab City Council had voted unanimously to “restructure” the city staff and that consequently, his position was being eliminated. Immediately. Davey wasn’t even aware that a restructuring vote was on the agenda. There had been no emails, no staff meetings, no warnings whatsoever that a major change in the organization of Moab City was about to be sprung on its staff.
To read more from Jim’s story, click the link below:
“What’s Past is Prologue.” Three Small Towns & Their Common Bond–City Manager Rebecca Davidson…by Jim Stiles
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THE 2008 DOCUMENTARY FILM, ‘BRAVE NEW WEST,’ about The Zephyr, is now available for rent from HIGH PLAINS FILMS for just $1.99…check it out…
CLICK HERE:
http://www.highplainsfilms.org/fi…/brave_new_west/play-film/
REVIEW: “A captivating film that succeeds in telling the story of the self-described hermit who has, over time, inspired a small cult following of his own the high desert of the Southwest. Stiles lives and works in unapologetic adherence to the Zephyr’s slogan—“Clinging Hopelessly to the Past”—and filmmakers Doug Hawes-Davis and Drury Gunn Carr give viewers a wonderful look into the day-to-day life of the activist publisher who long-ago settled in Moab. Through his cartoons and self-deprecating humor, Stiles manages to exude a resilient attitude and a feeling that all is not lost. The filmmakers in turn feed off that, producing this entertaining portrait of one of Southwest’s most eccentric characters.”
Newwest.net
CLICK HERE:
http://www.highplainsfilms.org/fi…/brave_new_west/play-film/
Posted in Uncategorized.
