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Show A-19 VIEWPOINTS www.parkrecord.com SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, NOVEMBER 13-16, 2010 LETTERS POLICY EDITORIAL The Park Record welcomes^ letters to the editor on ariyj subject. We ask that the \§C* ters adhere to the following* guidelines: They must include* the home (street) address and* telephone number of ttif* author. No letter will be puf£* fished under an assumed} name. Letters must not c o n j tain libelous material. Letters* should be no longer about 300 words (about words for guest editorials) < should, if possible, be We reserve the right to edp letters if they are too long ol jfj they contain statements thajj are unnecessarily offensive o n obscene. Writers are limrteck to one letter every sevefii days. Letters thanking event-; sponsors can list no morei than 10 individuals and/of] businesses. Send your letteC to: editor@parkrecord.com - ^ Inventory of historic homes is not enough T wo years ago, Park City officials hired a consultant to create a detailed inventory of the city's remaining historic structures. That effort was an important step toward protecting the town's fragile historic fabric, but without a commitment to use the list as a tool to prevent demolition it is an empty gesture. Last Monday a modest building at 657 Park Avenue was razed but the dust caused by its demolition is still swirling. The demolition was approved by a city staffer who said the structure had undergone so many remodels it had lost its historic significance. But, according to the city's own inventory, that was not the case. At the time of the inventory the alterations were deemed "minor," its general condition was listed as "good" and it was classified as a "significant site." One citizen was outraged enough by the loss of the structure to bring it to the city council's attention on Thursday. His commitment to the town's heritage is laudable and his activism on behalf of preservation is even more essential since the city disbanded the former Historic District Commission and replaced it with the less powerful Historic Preservation Board (HPB). Instead, the decision went to a staffer who may have been influenced by the current property owner who wants to build a similar but significantly larger structure on the lot. While saying he was heartbroken about the decision to destroy the existing building, the owner claimed the foundation was too far gone to fix. That may be true but he will also save a lot of time and money by building from scratch rather than having to renovate an old structure. At the very least, both the city staffer and the owner would have benefited from consulting an impartial panel of experts like the HPB. Interestingly the demolished building stood next door to one of the town's crowning historic renovation projects: the High West Distillery. That site used to house a pair of buildings, the Watts' home and the National Garage. After years of painstaking planning and reconstruction that the city held to rigid standards, the two charming landmarks were joined and now serve as a lively landmark along Old Town's entry way. Unfortunately the neighboring parcel was not so fortunate. Whether or not 657 Park Avenue could have been saved, we hope the sight of a historic home reduced to rubble alongside a stunning renovation project will galvanize City Hall and local citizens to ensure the Historic Sites Inventory is considered more than just a piece of paper and that it doesn't continue to shrink. GUEST EDITORIAL Another way to give thanks at Thanksgiving By Alex McDonald Director of public education, Intermountain Donor Services u Many of us think of Thanksgiving Day as a big meal, football and something about Pilgrims - right? Some people just call it "Turkey Day," but a dictionary defines Thanksgiving Day as "a national holiday celebrated as a day of feasting and giving thanks for divine favors or goodness." Last year over 260 people in Utah gave thanks for the goodness of others because they received lifesaving transplants. Nationally over 28,000 people gave thanks for being able to celebrate another holiday season with their loved ones thanks to someone saying "yes" to organ donation. Unfortunately, the waiting list keeps growing. Consider this: Currently, there are over 100,000 people in the United States waiting for life-saving transplants. Think of every man, woman and child in Ogden, Provo or Sandy as waiting, hoping that the kindness of strangers might save their lives. About 19 people on the waiting list will die every day because not enough organs are available to meet the growing need. If you have not already made the commitment to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, make the pilgrimage to your computer, go to www.yesutah.org and sign up today. These aren't unchartered waters; about 73 percent of people in Utah have led the way and have made their pledge to help save lives. The Pilgrims came to "The New Land" for a better life and were welcomed when they arrived. You will be welcomed when you sign up at either the driver license office or on line. "Twenty years ago, right before Thanksgiving, I received a heart transplant," said Mary Rizzuto, heart recipient. "I have had a chance to see my two girls grow up, finish school and become beautiful young ladies. I give thanks every day to my donor. The holidays are a time I am especially thankful that someone said yes to organ donation so I could celebrate the last 20 Thanksgivings and Christmases with my family." Evaluate your reasons for not making that important decision. This holiday season, please consider this important decision and encourage those around the Thanksgiving dinner table with you to do the same. Signing up on the Utah Donor Registry costs nothing, but it does indicate your willingness to save the life of others in the event of your death. What better legacy can someone leave after they are gone? What better gift than the gift of life? Organ and tissue recipients throughout the state will be expressing thanks this season to the donors who made it possible for them to enjoy one more Thanksgiving Day with their families. They are grateful for the 73 percent of Utahns who are currently signed up on the Utah Donor Registry. Signing up on the Utah Donor Registry is as easy as marking "yes" on the application for your driver license or state ID card. You can also register online. To get more information or to register online, log on ••. to www.yes utah.org. Register on Thanksgiving Day as a way to show your gratitude and willingness to help others. The Park Record Staff A_ ; ¥}•' PUBLISHER Andy Bamhard Editor Nan Chalal-Noaker Staff writs™ Jay Hamburgei • Pal Parkinson' Joe Lair Andrew Kirk Scott Iwasaki Douglas Greenwood t .., i £ ; ; , . Christopher Kamranl Contributing writers Tom Clyde t f f i ^ f ^ ^ JayMeehan Larry Warren Steve Phillips Cartoonist Malia Denall ^-' Copy editor David Hampshire ADVERTISING Classified advertising Ashlee Thomas 7& Office managsr Circulation manager Accounting manager Advertising director Advertising sales """' Jennifer Lynch Lacy Brundy Kate Fischer Valerie Spung Lori Gull Jennifer Musial Rachael Young-Tilton Pamela Graves Barbara Yarbenei Photograph an Grayson West Erik Daen'rtz Production director Matt Gordon Production Scott Schlenker ' J r ^ , Sarah Ely ^ Pat Hamaker .:?>&&& Another historic home is history jg ^ RECORD LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Now we can spell 'appreciative' dren have been through our outreach program. We service Wasatch and Summit counties and have provided 135 women and children shelter services, totaling 2,954 nights this year. So - buy a ticket, pray for snow and know that you are making a difference. Thanks again for the generosity of Park City Mountain Resort. drive past the newly finished tunnel we requested under Kearns^ Blvd for the children to cross safe^j ly to school. Not only functional^, but absolutely beautiful as well. >Jj Editor: So in this coming season of givA HUGE thank you to the ing thanks, I would like to extend Rotary Club for giving all the 3rd a huge "thank you" to the people graders at McPolin new dictionarwho work for the city - appointies. Sometimes we use the dictioned, elected and employees - for aries to look up words we don't the truly excellent job that they understand. It is great that we do. Not once have I had any dealhave our very own dictionaries ings at the Marsac Building where Carol Kotler and that you gave them to us. I wasn't treated with respect and Chair of Peace House All the 3rd graders love them! kindness. In fact, I would go so far Thanks again! as to say that every person I have come into contact with was willing Olivia Marron, Samy Montiel go well beyond their job descripand ail the McPolin 3rd graders tion to assist me in whatever it was that brought me in on that particular day. The police are also are friendly, helpful and kind. Editor: A big thanks as well to the citiAs I pulled out of the driveway into my neighborhood this morn- zens of Park City who rally togething, I noticed something. Or er to make this such a great place rather, I noticed a distinct lack of to live. From the overwhelming Editor: passing of our open space and Peace House thanks the Park something - traffic. You see, I live in Prospector trails bond to all the non-profits City Mountain Resort for its generous support. The resort is pric- and only a few short years ago I and volunteers scraping by in a ing lift tickets at $25 (must be used attended a standing-room-only bad economy, to the people who before November 19) and donat- meeting up at the city hall full of get involved when they see someing all proceeds to Peace House. concerned residents. At that time, thing that needs to be changed, to Tickets may be purchased at Cole the Prospector neighborhood had the people who smile and say hello Sports, Jans, Zions Bank and The a steady stream of cars speeding even if they don't know you; we Sports Den. Peace House appreci- through the neighborhood each are a shining example of how a citates their support. Tickets may morning trying to avoid the traffic izen and government partnership afso be purchased at the resort. coming in on 224. Our kids were at should work. Though we may not Pick up your tickets, have a great risk, and we turned out in force to all agree on everything, I think we ski day and come together as a demand that the city do something can all agree that Park City is a community in support of a won- about it. pretty amazing place to live and I derful cause. These days there are very few am honored to call you all my A few words about Peace cars and those on the streets drive neighbors, friends and fellow House: It is a domestic violence slowly and carefully, gently Parkites. With all of the bad news shelter, but so very much more. reminded of their speed by the Through education, shelter and solar speed indicators placed on around, it is easy to forget how lucky we are. Today, I wanted to support services, Peace House Sidewinder Drive. recognize the good things. empowers women to break the As I listen to NPR and hear stocycle of domestic violence in their ries of two political parties that Season's greetings to you all and lives and the lives of their children. seem far more interested in vilify- let it snow! Five thousand children have ing the other to win votes than been through our education pro- actually doing what is right and Melissa Band grams and 800 women and chil- fixing the mess our country is in, I Park City * This is an amazing place to live PCMR ticket sales help Peace House TOPICS ON TOPIX A verbatim sampling of opinions posted on The Park Record's online comment board, Topix "De facto dog park outside library endorsed, caution signs will be posted," published Nov. 5, 2010 • • R e a d between the lines. Nobody is going to get hassled for an off-leash dog unless their dog is being aggressive or hassling people. This is a great example of 'letter of the law vs 'spirit of the law,' and I'm glad to see it. I let my harmless but very friendly sheltie off leash on many trails, but leash him immediately when other people appear, such as on the Farm Trail. It's all about being responsible. I understand and acknowledge that not everyone loves dogs, and in fact many have a fea£ of them, especially some children, who don't enjoy having a dog run up to them...so don't let it happen, that's simply being considerate. So many of the "us against them" battles in this town (skiier vs. snowboarder, dog-people vs. non-dog people, hiker vs. mountain biker, boater vs. paddler, fulltime resident vs. 2nd-homeowner, snowmobiler vs. x-country skiier, *etc) would disappear if everyone would simply be considerate to one another. We live in a great place. Let's all enjoy it. OK, time for a group hug. "More layoffs are likely at the county," published Nov. 9, 2010 ••Here's an idea go back to three County Council members, and get rid of Bob Jasper, while were at it get rid of the high priced Lobbyist we now have. • • I t is not Jasper's fault. Cuts were inevitable, layoffs should not be a surprise. Though, the county continues to ignore a revenue source that is ready to be collected. Our newly elected assessor believes the primary home exemption is not fair to the out of state owners and an employee of the assessor's office BLOGGED (from a government computer during work hours) that the assessor's office was ignoring the issue. The current assessor told the council that they had the situation under control and that they have uncovered 100 homes on the business license list. Since then, I've found 15 more homes on the same list the assessor's office is working with. I haven't even dented the list yet. Why are there homes on the list still receiving the primary home exemption? Shouldn't there be a 100% success rate from this list? Ignoring the problem will not make it go away or keep people employed. The nightly rental and primary home exemption is a small problem, the low hanging fruit. The big problem and potential source of income to the county is the exemptions going to out of state owners. It is estimated that there is over 2 million dollars in property tax exemptions going to out of state owners. That's $2,000,000 that could be collected. How far would that go? How many jobs would that save? Why is the county ignoring the issue? If you are a county employee why arent you outraged? If you are a county resident why aren't you asking questions? ••That is some nice revenue, but really it is not a revenue issue, it is a spending issue. I guarantee that if they had that "extra $2.0m" you talk about they would be just as broke. Government folks never plan for a rainy day - thrift????? They NEVER he^rd of it just spend, spend, spend! 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