Letting the Wasatch Front know who we really are

By Sun Advocate

It’s easy to sit out here in eastern Utah and whine about how we are mistreated by the people and politicians on the other side of the mountain.
It sometimes seems that others in our state go out of their way to hurt our form of life here in Castle Country. But in actuality, with a few notable exceptions such as the redistricting debacle that took place two years ago, it can readily be ascertained that the decisions made that affect us negatively are errors in omission rather than commission. In other words, simply put, they forget we are out here.
How can Carbon County, in fact all of eastern Utah, change this tendency to be left out of people’s thoughts? How can we be more than just a place to stop for gas on the way to Moab? The truth is that it is probably the “hardest row to hoe” we as citizens of this area will ever face. Why? Because of people’s tendency to compartmentalize importance.
As pretty much a life long resident of the Salt Lake area until I moved here 13 years ago, I understand this thinking. As much as I always liked this area, having travelled here to dirt bike and recreate often, except at the times when I was planning on coming here, this place was absent from my mind. I didn’t realize the water problems, the situation with Highway 6 or the fact that unemployment here was a big deal until I came to reside here.
Wasatch Fronters are like everyone else. They are concerned with their own circumstances and spend little time worrying about the hinterlands of the state, unless someone stirs them up about land use issues or the development of their favorite recreation area.
We have county officials and representatives that try very hard to keep our image in front of peoples eyes. But it takes more than just a few to affect the many that make decisions that impact us. It is up to everyone in the area to put our best and strongest foot forward. We need image, we need political clout and we need to voice our voice.
This year of 2004 is general election year and if every one of the near 13,000 registered voters in Carbon County votes, it can give us quite a bit of power.
Casting a ballot is one way to be heard and heard loudly.