San Juan Record to buy Red Rock Radio

DUST IN THE WIND

Thank you to our readers for your support of the San Juan Record.  The news industry is in a state of flux and we are also making significant changes.

The San Juan Record is very excited to announce the purchase of Red Rock Radio, a premier radio station in the Four Corners area at 92.7 on the FM dial.  

From Abajo Peak, Red Rock broadcasts a signal that is clearly heard throughout San Juan County and beyond, from Shiprock, NM to Green River, UT and along major portions of Interstate 70.  

Translator stations are at 96.1 FM in Cortez, and 101.5 FM in Moab. 

Licensing approval of the transition from the Red Rock Radio Group to the San Juan Record will take several months.

In addition, we are in the process of greatly expanding our reach.  We are introducing a new website and are expanding our online and social media coverage.  

Look for a bold new approach to the San Juan Record as we implement our “2020 Vision” for the future.

We also implement an advertising rate increase for the newspaper, the first increase in nearly five years.  Like everyone, our expenses continue to increase.  

In addition, we had to absorb a significant price increase in September after our longtime printer summarily canceled their printing relationship with scores of newspapers and publications.

While we are very pleased with our new printing relationship with the Gannett Press in Farmington, NM, the price increase was significant. 

Despite the increase, our advertising rates continue to be very competitive with other newspapers and advertising mediums.  We offer a great value for your advertising dollar.

In addition, we are charging for obituaries. It was very difficult to make this decision, despite the fact that most newspapers have charged for obituaries for decades.

Thank you for your patience as we implement these exciting new changes. The news industry is constantly changing and this will help us keep pace with the major developments.

Please feel free to call, email, or drop in if you would like to visit about these matters.  

• • • • •

The Utah Community Impact Board (CIB) is scheduled to meet this week to formally approve a $5.4 million grant/loan package for a new health care clinic in Spanish Valley. 

Several entities in Moab, including the City of Moab and Moab Regional Hospital, have expressed concern about the loan package and the impact of the new clinic.  

See our story in the January 29 issue of the San Juan Record.

I am completely in support of the project. This represents forward-thinking leadership and planning from the health service district. 

Too many times, our public entities seem to be caught unaware and scramble to play catch-up. Instead of being caught by surprise, the health service district is leading the way.

The steps they are taking will bring new services to the current residents of northern San Juan County.  In addition, they will be well positioned to serve the community as it grows.

The developments in Spanish Valley was one of our major stories in 2019. A major planning and zoning effort was necessary because of the explosive growth which is expected.  San Juan County has invested millions of dollars to bring new water and sewer infrastructure to the area.

The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) plans to develop thousands of acres in Spanish Valley in a massive project.  

Simply put, huge changes are coming to Spanish Valley and it could become the largest community in San Juan County in coming years.

It is disingenuous to suggest that little or no growth is anticipated in the area. Just this week, Commissioners signed three separate subdivision plats for development in Spanish Valley.

The actions of the health service district make even more sense since SITLA is mandated by law to secure the highest possible profit from each transaction.

The health service district was the first public entity to move.  They secured five acres on the corner of what will become the main intersection in the developing community.

The cost to develop will only increase as the community grows.

The $6.4 million project will be funded largely through the CIB, with the health service district contributing $1 million. The CIB funding is 25 percent grant and 75 percent loan, with a 30-year term at one percent interest on the loan.

A misinformation campaign, distributed online and via phone survey, states that taxpayers will carry the financial burden to repay the debt.  

In reality, the loan is through a revenue bond and not a general obligation bond. 

The loan will be repaid from clinic revenue and not through property tax.  Similar to a home loan, the building itself is the collateral for the loan, not taxpayers.