After 34 Years, What Everybody Ought to Know About Gwen Iverson

St. George, UT, September 2, 2010 — Morris Peacock, managing partner with HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors announced the retirement of Gwen Iverson, the longest employed associate with their firm.

Iverson joined HintonBurdick, then known as Carter Kemp & Associates, in 1976 as a bookkeeper, and over the years has performed innumerable assignments for the firm including bookkeeping, payroll, and the firm’s internal accounting. At the time of her retirement, Iverson was working as the Senior Para-professional.

Prior to joining Carter Kemp, Iverson worked for Fox and Company where in 1971, she became acquainted with Greg Kemp and Lloyd Carter. When Kemp and Carter left Fox & Company to start their own venture, Iverson was asked to join them, however, Gwen felt a loyalty to Fox & Company and Dexter Snow.  When Elmer Fox moved from St. George, Iverson joined Carter Kemp, which later became Kemp Burdick Hinton Hall, now HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors.

According to Peacock, “Gwen has been the ideal employee. She is loyal, honest, and supportive.  She has been our best vault and secret keeper.  If we ever needed anything, Gwen had the answers.  We have termed her the Mother of the firm and she became the conscience of our firm.  Her integrity is unwavering and that flows through our offices today.”

According to Van Kleinman, Firm Administrator, “Gwen is honest to a fault.  If she paid a bill late and the firm was charged a late fee, she would cover the late fee amount by having it taken out of her own check, if we didn’t catch it.  Gwen would frequently enter less time on her time sheet if she didn’t feel that she had given her best.  Recently I knew that Gwen had been putting in more hours than normal, but when I reviewed her time card for payroll, it showed a lot less hours.  When I approached her about it she told me she only put hours down when she accomplished something. Her integrity is immutable.”

Iverson will now spend her days enjoying her family, her Pine Valley home and doing a bit of traveling.

“Gwen is irreplaceable.  They just don’t make them like her much anymore.  We will miss her motherly approach to life and work,” stated Peacock.

InfoWest to Give Back as High Tech Business Incubator

St. George, UT, August 25, 2010  — InfoWest, The Internet People, is looking to help incubate a brand new start up high tech company in Southern Utah.  According to InfoWest president Kelly Nyberg, “We constantly hear about smart, hard working individuals looking to start their new high tech business who often run into common start up issues such as lack of capital for startup business expenses.  We know how difficult this can be for a new business, so InfoWest would like to assist getting a company off the ground.”

One fortunate business will receive office space, front desk reception, desks and chairs, office supplies, utilities, phones, fiber optic Internet access, datacenter, server co-location, a $5,000 capital contribution, and consulting from InfoWest board and management to assist them during their startup process.

According to Nyberg, “Applicant criteria include companies that are high-tech related. They must be willing to give up a small percentage of the company in exchange for incubation, have no more than 5 employees, and not have substantial liabilities.”

Applications need to contain the following information and be submitted as a PDF, Word, or PowerPoint document.  Please include an overview of your business, your corporate structure (if applicable), a list of current staff, employees and partners, your business plan – including summary, target market, risk, and exit strategy, the current business financials - if your business is operational, and the primary needs from your perspective, along with contact information.

“InfoWest’s Board of Directors will review all applications and then choose the business they feel best meets their criteria and opportunity for success," stated Nyberg.  Applications will be accepted through the end of September 2010.

If you or someone you know may be interested in this opportunity, please submit applications for consideration to Kelly Nyberg at InfoWest, Inc., 148 E. Tabernacle, St. George, Utah 84770, or email files to nyberg@infowest.com.

Kane County wins its first R.S. 2477 road – the Skutumpah Road

PHOTO: Commissioners Mark Habbeshaw, Daniel Hulet and Doug Heaton along with Utah State Representative Mike Noel stand next to the recently erected RS2477 road sign on the Skumtumpah Road which is the first Interior Department recognized RS2477 road in the nation.  The United States Attorneys office stipulated to an order that grants title of the road to Kane County. After almost 3 years, the county can now maintain the road which is in serious disrepair.  Safety concerns prompted the county to ask for an expedited motion to grant title to the roads. The court agreed to hear the case and the United States decided to not fight the validity of the road stipulating that Kane County owned the road.

Kane County Commission
Douglas K. Heaton
Daniel W. Hulet
Mark W. Habbeshaw
76 North Main, Kanab, Utah
(435) 644-4901

August 31, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

Kane County wins its first R.S. 2477 road – the Skutumpah road

On August 30, 2010, in a Kane County quiet title suit in the United States District Court, the United States acknowledged Kane County’s ownership and jurisdiction of approximately 26 miles of the 33 mile long Skutumpah road.  The County will start signing, maintaining and repairing the road today. 

The Skutumpah road is believed to be the first Utah R.S. 2477 highway with title confirmed in court, and may be the first R.S. 2477 road adjudicated on lands managed by the Department of the Interior (Interior).

The State of Utah joined Kane County in the suit to quiet title to twelve roads, including the Skutumpah road.  Several environmental groups were denied intervention in the case by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Kane County will continue to press its case and expects to quiet title to the remaining roads, and the rest of the Skutumpah road, within the next few months.

R.S. 2477 public highway rights-of-way were granted to states and counties from 1866 to 1976 to facilitate the settlement of the West.  The majority of roads crossing public lands were established under R.S. 2477 and our communities depend on the secure and continued existence of these roads.  Although repealed by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, all established R.S. 2477 highways were grandfathered as valid existing rights.

In 1997, Secretary Bruce Babbitt directed Interior to ignore R.S. 2477 rights and created unnecessary controversy and conflict.  Interior agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), have closed and restricted numerous county roads across the West claiming that R.S. 2477 rights must be “determined” before the agency will “respect them as valid existing rights,” and yet Interior has vigorously worked to avoid having any R.S. 2477 right-of-way recognized as valid. 

For the last two years in court Interior denied that Kane County had any right to the Skutumpah Road, but it separately informed the public that Kane County should maintain it.  U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups recently advised U.S. attorneys that the federal government had placed Kane County in a “catch 22” and suggested that the attorneys coordinate with the county to resolve some of the roads in the county.

The failure of the BLM to maintain the Skutumpah road resulted in many public safety dangers along the road that warranted an expedited court hearing.  When pressed, the United States finally acknowledged Kane County’s ownership of the Skutumpah road.  Although the full extent Kane County’s rights are yet to be defined in the litigation, the County now has the necessary jurisdiction to properly maintain, repair and manage the Skutumpah road as it historically has done.

Kane County is in the process of securing quiet title or formal recognition of all of its roads documented as R.S. 2477 roads.

School supplies still needed

St. George, UT, August 9, 2010 — School supplies continue to be collected at The University of Phoenix St. George Campus for students in need within the Washington County School District. School supplies that are in great need include paper, note pads, pencils, erasers, rulers, glue sticks, crayons, color markers, binders, and backpacks.
Bob Green, WCSD Child Services Coordinator, said that the school district has identified over 500 homeless families within the district. “We need to be able to access their needs and obtain supplies for as many students as we can,” stated Green.

According to Brendan Dalley, Community Education Liaison for University of Phoenix St. George Campus, “School starts this week and many students will not be prepared without our help.  This community has a track record of helping those in need.  We ask that the community continue this trend by stepping up and offering school supplies and cash donations to the WCSD Foundation.”

If you would like to help, please contact Brendan Dalley at 435-275-5620 or bring school supplies by the University of Phoenix St. George Campus located at 965 East 700 South, 3rd floor.


About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of May 31, 2010, 476,500 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu

Bella Marie’s Pizzeria Opens at Tonaquint Hills Retail Center

 Owners Marie Perez-Chiu and Richard Doerr, Bella Marie’s Pizzeria.

 St. George, UT, August 12, 2010 — Bella Marie’s Pizzeria, a locally owned restaurant featuring homemade Italian food and desserts, is now open in the Tonaquint Hills Retail Center located at Tonaquint Business Park in St. George.  The pizzeria is located at 1487 Silicon Way, Suite A1.

Stan Perkins, Tonaquint Business Park’s vice-president for marketing, welcomed the new restaurant, calling it “a prized acquisition for what will eventually become a 700,000 square foot retail and business center.”

Owned and operated by Richard Doerr and Marie Perez-Chiu, Bella Marie’s Pizzeria has already received accolades in the most recent “Best of Southern Utah” list, earning two third place awards—one for “Best Italian” and another for “Best Non-Frozen Dessert—as well as honorable mentions for “Best Pizza,” “Best Lunch,” “Best Family Dinner,” and “Best Sandwiches.”  “With less than a year in business,” Marie said, “we are pleased that local residents are discovering that we are passionate about both the quality of the food we serve and the service we provide.”

At Bella Marie’s, everything is made from scratch, including desserts, sauces, and the pizza dough baked fresh daily in a brick oven.  Marie, a registered nurse, believes there can be no substitute for natural, fresh ingredients.  She points out that the recipes used at Bella Marie’s are based on family recipes passed down through generations.  “Our grandparents created wonderful meals from natural, fresh ingredients,” she said, “and our goal is to do the same for our customers.”

Richard and Marie are on-site six days a week.  “We love interacting with our customers,” Richard said, “and getting to know them.  We think of them as family, and we want to provide them with the kind of dining experience we are accustomed to sharing with family members.” 

Commenting on their decision to locate in the Tonaquint Hills Retail Center, the couple pointed out that it puts them on a major through highway in the midst of an area that is slated for major development.  “We do have to put some effort into letting people know we’re out here,” Doerr said, “rather than in the heart of downtown, but once they find us, they keep coming back.”  He noted that working with the Tonaquint Business Park staff has been a pleasure.  “They are eager to help us succeed and always ready to do whatever it takes to meet our needs,” he said.

In addition to pizza, Bella Marie’s menu features pasta dishes, chicken and seafood entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts.  The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  It is closed on Sundays.


About Tonaquint Center Business Park

When completed, the Tonaquint Center Business Park will consist of 700,000 square feet of retail and business space of which 150,000 square feet are currently built or under construction.  For more information, call Stan Perkins at 435-673-8033.

Closing Date for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit Extended

N E W S   R E L E A S E
News Release: Immediate

For more information contact:
Phillip Peine
HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors
435-628-3663

St. George, UT, July 8, 2010 — Good news for those first-time homebuyers and long-time residents who were hoping to claim the First-Time Homebuyer Credit but were unable to close on their homes before June 30, 2010. Congress passed the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act on July 2, 2010, which extended the closing date from June 30 to September 30, 2010.

Keep in mind that the credit has not been extended nor has the time to enter into a written, binding contract been extended; only the time to close on a principal residence has been extended. The extension of the closing date will only apply to those taxpayers who already entered into a written, binding purchase contract before the end of April. Those who entered into a written contact before the end of April, and who meet the other first-time homebuyer or long-time resident requirements, now have until September 30, 2010 to close on their home.

As a reminder, the First-Time Homebuyer Credit will apply to those individuals who have not owned a principal residence in the U.S. during the prior 3 years from the date of purchase of their new home. To claim the full credit, married filing joint taxpayers must have modified adjusted gross income of less than $225,000 ($125,000 if filing single). No credit will be available to married filing joint taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of more than $245,000 ($145,000 if filing single). Any home purchase for more than $800,000 will not qualify for the credit. The credit is fully refundable and is the lesser of 10% of the purchase price or $8,000.

Long-time residents who make a qualifying principal residence purchase could qualify for a credit of up to $6,500. A long-time resident is defined as one who has lived in the same principal residence for five consecutive years within the previous eight years, ending on the date of purchase of a new principal residence.

Please contact us for assistance on claiming your First-Time Homebuyer Credit. To find the phone number of the office nearest you, as well as for weekly tax tips, visit our website at www.hintonburdick.com.

Snow Jensen & Reece Names Two New Shareholders

St. George, UT, July 9, 2010.  The law firm of Snow Jensen & Reece announced the addition of two new shareholders to the firm.  Matthew J. Ence and Joshua R. Forest were both made shareholders in official action taken by the firm Board of Directors.

Mr. Ence has been employed by the firm since 2003 and is licensed to practice law in both Utah and Nevada.  His expertise is in the area of real estate, business transactions and general commercial litigation.  Ence also has extensive experience in water law and represents several rural water companies in Southern Utah.

Mr. Forest is licensed to practice law in both Utah and Arizona.  He joined the firm in the fall of 2008 after 6 years of practice with a large firm in Phoenix, Arizona and later with a St. George law firm.  Forest has had extensive experience in handling complex litigation involving construction defects, real estate disputes and securities.  His practice will continue to focus in these areas.

Ence and Forest are both cum laude graduates of BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, where they held prominent leadership positions including law review, the Student Bar Association and the Business Law Society.  Ence earned a B.S. degree at BYU in economics, while Forest received a B.A. in psychology from Southern Utah University.

Both are residents of Santa Clara and are active members of their community. Matt Ence was recently reelected to a second term to the Santa Clara city council.  He also serves on the board of the Washington County Solid Waste District and is a member of the Dixie Transportation Executive Committee.  Joshua Forest is a volunteer with the Ivins City Youth Sports Program and was recently awarded the 2009 Pro Bono Award for his service in donating legal services to various non-profit organizations.  In addition, Forest is currently serving as President-elect of the Southern Utah Bar Association.

Both Ence and Forest expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to become Snow Jensen & Reece shareholders.  “This is a way for us to reinforce our commitment to fellow shareholders of the firm and to the clients we serve,” Ence said.