Playground for the elite

I read with interest the latest attempt by Department of Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, to limit gas, oil and mineral leases in southern Utah. I remember as a newly elected school board member sitting in a Vernal, Utah, motel lobby talking with an employee of the Bureau of Land Management about the content of the "Apple Initiative," a document written by then state Rep. Marty Stevens outlining the financial impact of federal land in Utah on our schools.

During our discussion, the young man made a comment to me: "Haven't you Utahns figured out Utah is the playground for the Eastern elite." The comment made over eight years ago seems even more relevant today. Our land is being held hostage, and our children's education is the real victim.

Donna Barnes

Lehi