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Show Free Press - Wednesday, October 8, 1 997 - Page 2 Opinion Next, the Tabernacle Choir, but first, a word from our sponsor MM-THH- Volunteers needed Later this month, in high schools throughout Utah, interested parents and other volunteers will gather to express their concern, and promise their enerto improve people in this risk. gy, have or be part of a crime prevention council. Give Utah's children a The number of low birth weight babies born in Utah will decrease by 10 percent. Give Utah youths more marketable skills. Twelve thousand youth who are at risk of healthier start. the lives of young state who are at This unprecedented effort, titled the "Governor's Volunteer Summit, Utah's Promise," is an offshoot of a national effort head- becoming functionally illiterate will be reading at the third grade level. Provide opportunities for percent of ed by General Colin L. Powell, chairman of "America's Promise service. The Alliance for Youth." Powell will be in the state to help kick off this major initiative, which will continue through the year 2000. The Oct. 22 event will include a video broadcast featuring Governor Leavitt and General Powell which will originate from West High School. Utah citizens will be invited to gather at any of the 104 public high schools throughout the state to view the broadcast. They will then make action plans for their individual communities. Utah is focusing on five goals at this volunteer summit, all of them aimed at improving the lives of our state's children. The goals are: teer a significant amount of time in service to others each month. Our young people face tremenand many of dous challenges them meet those challenges remarkably well. But others need at-ris- k Seventy-fiv- e youth, ages 12 to 18, will volun- help. The Volunteer Summit is a good solution. Rather than relying on more government programs to provide a bureaucratic fix, the summit is designed to provide that help from within each community. Utah has tremendous resources in its cities, and a proven track record of volunteerism that is the envy of the nation. Mark Oct. 22 now to attend the video broadcast at your local high school. If you want to help now, call the Utah Commission on Volunteers at The Volunteer Summit is an opportunity for Utah cities to put these resources to work to make a real difference in the lives of the young people in our communities who are at risk. It is a time to step forward and shine. Involve a caring adult in the life of Utah children. Utah will have 3,000 trained foster care families and an increased number of volunteers in new and existing mentoring programs for 222-291- children. Make Utah a safer place to live. Every community will 1. A reason to be negative Several years ago, an article in The New York Times pointed out that many people have every reason to be negative about themselves and their lives. If they were poverty-stricke- n as a child, had been abused and neglected, felt no love, and had never had a word of encouragement, etc., then "no wonder they are negative." Question: What can you do if you fit into that category? First, you accept the fact that failure is an event, not a person; that yesterday really did end last night, and today is a brand-neday ... and it's yours. Second, you need to understand that you are what you are and where you are because of what's gone into your mind. You can change what you are and you can change where you are by changing what goes into your mind. Here's the way it works. When you change your thinking, you change your actions; when you change your actions, you change your future. So the question is what you put in your mind. The answer is to record the nice things people say about you. Make it a point to read books that are w . optimistic and upbeat. Associate with people who fit into that category. Attend seminars with other upbeat, optimistic people. Listen to motiva- tional and inspirational cassette recordings in your car. Make it a point to learn one new word every day. In a matter of days, your thinking will slowly, but perceptibly, start to shift. In a matter of two or three weeks, the trend will definitely be toward the positive. In a matter of months, you will be strongly headed in the right direction with goals carefully written down and a good chance for reaching them. Take this approach, and I'll see you at the top! sense of humor is "A the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life." William A. Ward Utah talent scout, host of Talent Contrary to what you may have thought after watching LDS General Conference, neither Mr. Mac nor Eugene Jelesnik are general authori- ties. The misconception may stem from the strategic placement of Mr. Mac's ads immediately following what some see as a spiritual feast equivalent to "going to Mecca." And for those who are in that mode, Mr. Mac may actually seem more like a spiritual manifestation than a shrewd businessman. Mac isn't the only one guilty of trying to persuade men to come to his store, though. The LDS booksellers seem to get their share in, too. But like the industry giants who pay top dollar for the premium advertising spots during the Super Bowl, the World Series or the Olympics, Mac must bring a huge amount of cash to the bargaining table to ascertain that it will be his face LDS viewers see immediately after the noon and 4 p.m. ringing of the Nauvoo Bell. Mac doesn't save up for general conference, though; one sees him immediately after Music and the Spoken Word. In fact, some viewers might think that the words to the traditional sign-of- f hymn by the choir might actually be "God be with you 'till we meet again, tomorrow, 8.a.m sharp." (Although the general public is not privy to the amount of tithing collected at church offices, it would be interesting find to out what Bonneville Communications collects from old Mac.) Showcase. What would the semi-annuspiri-' tual feast be without some ioned entertainment afterward? And is certainly believe me, the operative word when it comes to the playing of these programs from the depths of the KSL archives. I could very well be mistaken . these could be recent tapings, but it seems unlikely. Take, for example, group that was introduced by Jelesnik, who said that "clogging is; popular these days." One wonders: was it ever really that ; popular, and even if it was, is it still ; popular now or has it become a thing of the past? But here was this group clogging their little hearts out, with or without the benefit of rhythm. Of course, the experience that they received from performing in public surmounts the questionable entertainment value proI was vided by them. (I should know an accompanist for a performer on the show years ago.) I really had to laugh during the' credits, however, because the official wardrobe of Talent Showcase was provided exclusively by none other than al old-fash- The LDS book publishers came next, hoping to follow on the coattails of Mac in keeping an enraptured audience. In their defense, I must say that at least they provide advertising to a number of stores that carry their products. But the ones who really get to me those are those third spot hopefuls who preach danger and calamity around the next corner unless one purchases the vital 72 Hour Kit at the unbelievable price of only $99.99, a $250 value, of course. In no way would I ever suggest that people should not be prepared, for I've heard the fable of the grasshopper and the ant, as well the sermons from that same spiritual feast. A rebuking by an ecclesiastical figure, however, is a far cry from the crass attempt to prey on those who want to do the right thing by someone who is going to make a hundred bucks from a good dose of guilt. And to add insult to injury, these particular items are not only available at the advertiser's outlet, but are also available at two of the same places that carry the books touted in the previous commercials. The other popular n figure is Eugene Jelesnik, well-know- Mr. Mac. Then again, maybe the advertising' isn't decided just by the advertising department. After all, I must admit that I've never looked forward more to the starting of the afternoon session of conference than I did last Sunday. line-u- p Response to editorial shows a city in fear I often get the feeling that we really don't know what's going on in the minds of our readers most of the time. Last week was a good example. controversy Despite the that is simmering in American Fork, there has been little feedback except from a few very verbal residents, mostly residents who have a direct personal interest in the ongoing feud between the city's mayor and its police chief. When we called for Jess Green to resign two weeks ago, response was minimal. That was no surprise. It takes a lot to get much of a rise out of most folks anymore. , But last week, when we issued a similar call for Police Chief John Durrant to resign, we got the greatest response of any story I have done in the 15 years I've been working here. Everywhere I went on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, people were talking to me. The office telephone rang endlessly. I heard from acquaintances and strangers in equal measure. We didn't know what to expect, since we were taking a strong stand on a controversial issue. This is what we heard. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of the position our newspaper took in asking the chief to step down. We estimate at least a ratio in favor of our position. I fielded two calls that disagreed. Three individuals canceled their subscription because of the editorial. One of them was an American Fork City Council member. We had several more who decided to start a subscription. Much of the response demonstrated a tremendous feeling of fear and distrust in the community. Here is a sam- - administration of the city's police department. Chief Durrant may have, J 3 mM liftH'IIIIMIlhilWIIHIIIIIIlfllllffi pie of the voice mail received: "Mr. Haddock, I'd messages I rather remain anonymous, but I am a concerned citizen who completely supports your editorial. I do wish you well and am concerned for your Just remember there's also a sheriff s office in Utah County if you need any help." Here's another: "I just want to thank you for that paper. That took a lot of courage and it was wonderful." Several other people expressed concern over our safety. That's the reaction that surprised me the most. I have never been treated with anything but respect by the members of the American Fork Police Department. I have never felt any need to fear them. I was amazed that so many people have so little confidence in the local police. And yet they are afraid to speak out for fear of some kind of reprisal. Whether this fear is justified or not, the fact that it exists is cause for serious concern. It is hard to believe that people don't feel safe walking the streets of this wonderful community, but many don't. That is one of the things we learned from the response to last week's newswell-bein- paper. We also found there is strong community support for a change in the the support of four members of the City Council, but I don't think that support can be found in the community at large. People are just afraid to talk about it. We also learned that people are dissatisfied with their elected city officials across the board. People are unhappy with the controversy that has swirled around the council these past two years, and they are most unsatisfied with the. amount of notoriety it has brought upon our city. They want a change. I'm writing this Tuesday morning,; before we know the results of today's primary election. More than 800 resi- -' dents have registered to vote over the last few weeks. That's extraordinary for a municipal primary election, but I think there is a lot of interest in the outcome of today's vote. If the comments we received this past week are any indication, we willJ see a strong sentiment ; in this primary election. The people seem to be ready for a change. Election polls aren't often taken in small towns like American Fork. The results of any election are uncertain until the ballots are counted. I've never been successful at predicting election results. I'll be waiting up Tuesday night so we can get these results to you in today's newspaper. I can't predict the results, but I'm convinced, from what we heard last week, that there is an undercurrent of discontent in our community that all of us have underestimated. We got a taste of that with the response to last week's newspaper. I think we are all in for some surprises. Reader's Forum Why so much growth? Editor: Lehi's phenomenal growth in recent years certainly has our attention. We've not kept track of all the annexations and requests for the same this past year, but it seems there's not a month go by without a new annexation proposal before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Although we're not Lehi residents, we have interest in the proceedings because it won't be long until "We're next." We cringe when we hear about another annexation proposal and then a proposal to go into debt to improve roads and utilities (infrastructure) to service existing homes and recent subdivisions. This seemingly expansion prompts a flood of questions, of which we'll list a few: WHY should Lehi be concerned about "losing" land to Draper? Is it significantly cheaper for residents to live in a large (say, 40,000) community compared to smaller ones? Does not crime increase disproportionately with population? Does not the sense of community "belonging" Published weekly by A ..Hie 0 lewtiihjews member of NATIONAL & Circulation News Publisher Managing Editor City Editor Subscription NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 received via Voorheis needs local support Editor: Orin Voorheis was shot in the head while serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission on April 9, 1997. He has progressed in his recovery to a point that he is now in a care center. He comes home for a few hours and attends church in his home ward as often as possible. Many prayers and blessings have helped him Deadlines Telephone Numbers Advertising ISSN No. 8750-466- 9 U.S.P.S. No. 309-50- to roads, water and sewer lines, water and waste treatment facilities, and even the procurement of water rights incurred by the municipality? How about the increased cost of public safety (police, fire department, etc.)? An increase in cost reduces the demand, thus, a reduction in growth. Every business knows that selling below your cost is no way to stay in business. Requiring existing customers to make up the difference is ludicrous. Why not consider the Lehi growth limitation initiative on November's ballot until developer's impact fees are raised to a fair level? Kent & Nona Nielson (especially to our children) decrease as the population increases (especially with rapid increases)? Is it worth the risk when metropolitan services are so close? Is it true that revenues (taxes) collected from residents do not cover the services provided to the same? Developers pay for the improvements to their subdivision and payment of an impact fee to the city. Is it true this impact fee does NOT cover the increased cost of infrastructures to the city? WHY should existing Lehi residents and businesses who have been here for years (and even decades) subsidize such developments until the future residents can carry their share or vote for a bond to finance the inevitable construction of such (which someday must be paid with interest)? WHY does the city allow such subsidies to developers? Is the city waiting for the "Micron genie" (or other commercial development) to come out of the lamp and save the community from utility and service starvation (not enough to go around)? Why not raise the impact fees to completely cover the proportionate costs of increased access Brett Bezzant Marc Haddock Tuesday, noon Display Advertising Monday. 5 News Missionaries Monday. pm. 2 p.m. Monday. 2 p.m. Weddings price S241 per year Community Second class postage paid at American Fork, Utah Postmaster: send address change to 59 West Main. American Fork. Utah 84003 Letters to the Editor Obituaries . . at 785-437- 0. Raymond K. Bastian 2 p.m. Monday. 10 a.m. .Monday. 10 a.m. All letters must include the author's name (printed AND signed) and a telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, punctuation, taste and length. Letters are welcome on any topic. HOW TO REACH US Monday. Calendar ' We welcome letters to the editor. Classified Advertising Russ Daly on his path to recovery. He has a few steps that ' seem insurmountable, but our faith and prayers cause us to believe that given time and love from his family and friends, his body will respond. A few minutes time spent with him lets one know his recovery is imminent. The Voorheis family do not now have the facilities to care for Orin at home, but he could come ' home if the proper care could be given there. Orin's home ward has taken on the project of constructing an addition to the Voorheis home. ' The addition will consist of a bedroom, therapy room and bath. It will be ground level for easy . access. We are inviting all to help as desired. We are confident that through volunteer labor, cash or material donations, the project can be completed soon. A'donation account has been opened at First Security Bank. Cash donations may be made to account number at any branch of the bank. Volunteer labor or materials may be made by contacting the project manager, Raymond Bastian. He may be reached by phone Tuesday. 1 1 By Mail P.O. Box 7, American a.m. In 59 W. Main, Fork, UT 84003 Person American Fork By Fax 756-527- 4 By newtahaol.com mm IPOQ |