Davis Clipper January 14, 2010

Page 1

Davis Life

THURSDAY

B1

January 7, 2010

www.davisclipper.com

Several shine in RMT’s “Rain”

Sports

D1

Darts take out Vikings, 53-38

Davis County Clipper Hazy, crazy days of winter

FIFTY CENTS

PHONE: 295-2251

• FAX: 295-3044

VOL. 118

ESTABLISHED 1891

NO. 79

Skies were dark and gunky early this week as an inversion socked in the south Davis area. That should change to clear skies by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, but temperatures will remain below normal, with overnight lows expected in the teens.

Louise R. Shaw

Layton principal now subject of criminal probe BY MELINDA WILLIAMS Clipper Staff Writer LAYTON — The day after Layton High School Principal Paul C. Smith returned to administrative duties at the school, news came of a criminal investigation by Layton Police. On Tuesday, Layton Police Chief Terry Keefe released a statement confirming his department was conducting a criminal investigation based on allegations of possible financial improprieties. However, the news release does not mention Smith, or anyone else n See “LAYTON,” p. A4

Homeowners divided over refinery’s damage response

Well-handled or a ‘nightmare’: 271 claimants don’t always agree over refinery’s response BY MELINDA WILLIAMS Clipper Staff Writer

WOODS CROSS — Not everyone whose homes were damaged in the Nov. 4 Silver Eagle blast is satisfied with the way claims are being handled. One homeowner told Woods Cross council members Tuesday that working with the refinery’s insurance “has been a nightmare.” J. Michael Redd, vice president of refining and operations at the refinery, told members of the Woods Cross City Council Tues-

day that there have been 271 damage claims filed, 45 of which have been settled, and 61 of which will require an additional inspection by an engineer. He said it’s his understanding all the claimants have been contacted, but homeowner Alison Pickett, whose house is at 2086 S. 925 West, told the council that she and her husband decided to file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance because working with the refinery’s insurance has been a “nightmare.” “We’re still in a hotel, and it was hard to hear the refinery will be up and running before we get back in our home,” Pickett said. She was referring to an announcement by the refinery that

they hope to start up the number one crude unit on Jan. 24, after holding a public open house on Jan. 21. Pickett indicated they had not been contacted by the refinery’s insurance adjuster, but following the meeting Redd said that it was his understanding the family had been contacted. During the meeting, Mayor Kent Parry said he wanted to hear of incidents like the Picketts’, but added he had been hearing some very favorable reports about how the refinery was handling reports of damage. Redd explained the refinery’s plan to start up operations again, beginning with the crude unit, a low pressure unit, involving no

chemical reaction. It was not part of the problem in the November explosion. He said that while they would like to restart the unit,“we won’t if we’re not ready.” Prior to the restart, refinery officials will hold an open house, tentatively scheduled for Jan. 21, the time and location to be decided. In the meantime, the refinery has brought in outside inspectors to go over all the pipes and vessels, cleaning them and inspecting every weld. He said typically a refinery will inspect 5 percent of its welds yearly, but “under our new policies, we’re going overboard — well

n See “HOMEOWNERS,” p. A4


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