I 2 The Magna TimesWest Valley News, Thursday, April 22, 1999 Government Opinion Cook lobbies for public input on rail li The Citizen Review Reports on issues and events pertinent to the community of Magna by KIM FOLSOM STAFF WRITER Merrill Cook announced this week his proposal to get the East-WeLight Rail project on the ballot for a vote of the people. He st by DL'B RICHARDS CONTRJBLTOR believes that the people should have a choice in how the transportation allocations are spent. The last several council meetings have covered some interesting ground, ranging from typical plan- Cook said, "The funding, which is n in the dollars, can be used for light rail or could be used for other alternative uses such as' a commuter rail across the Wasatch Front. Cook believes that we need voter input to establish the best use of the transportation funding. ning and zoning issues to our town's right to govern itself as a multi-millio- Cook was joined by Salt Lake County Commissioner Brent Overson, State Senators Michael Waddops and Howard Stephenson, and State Representative Monte Evans in making the announcement. The group would like to see the legislature authorize local governments to put the proposal on the ballot. In a separate interview, Cook also talked about an issue that should have gotten much more public the Salt Lake input than it did 2002 Winter Olympics. Although Congressman Cook does not share the governor's rosy outlook on the Olympics, he did say, "I think support is in pretty good shape, money will be available for transportation and security from the federal government." Cook is concerned that - L to R: Howard Stevenson, Monte Evans, Merrill Cook, Michael Waddops and Commissioner Brent Overson. both SLOC and the IOC show significant progress in cleaning up the Olympic process. Locally, Cook believes that we are proceeding in the right direction but he is still concerned about how much progress the IOC is making in their cleanup, especially on how that will impact current congressional hearings on the Olympics. Cook said, "There have been a number of proposals which might affect the financial status of the Salt Lake Olympics, including one by Senator Stevens of Alaska which might threaten the status of the Olympics. Cook says, "If IOC ignores tax-exem- pt Congress' warnings, we could lose our status for the Olympics. The cleanup process tax-exem- pt may also impact corporate sponsorship since some major sponsors such as Johnson and Johnson are already jumping the ship. Cook believes SLOC salvation lies in extending the outreach of the SLOC Board to make it a more open process. Small but enthusiastic crowd at County Democratic Convention by KIM FOLSOM STAFF W RITER A disappointingly small crowd attended the Democratic Convention this month. Most of the major Democratic contenders for the Salt Lake City Mayor's race were in attendance and were allowed five minutes to speak. Jim Bradley, Dave Jones, Rocky Anderson, and Mike Zuhl were there, but Stuart Reid was conspicuous in his absence. Reid chose working at a tree planting instead of attending the convention. Some Democrats wondered how much of a Demo-- ? crat Stuart Reid really is, considering he is supported by Republican Salt Lake County Commissioner Brent Overson and Republican City Councilman Bryce Jolley and now has skipped the traditional appearance at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention. One bright spot at the convention was a speech by former Salt Lake Commission candidate Karen Crompton. Crompton now heads candidate recruitment for the Democratic Party. She pledged in her speech that no race would be unopposed and every race would have a strong Democratic candidate. A good part of the reason that she lost her race to Commissioner Mary Callaghan was the fact that the Democratic Party did not run a MAGNA TIMES USPS 325-58- 0 Second class postage paid at Magna, Utah 84044 8980 West 2700 South Magna, Utah 84044 J. HOWARD STAHLE Publisher BONNIE STAHLE Advertising Manager Office Manager GENE JEFFERIES Advertising Sales GARY R. BLODGETT Editor DEANNA JONES Arts & Entertainment Editor Production Manager ALAN BLAIN Staff Writer SHARON LINSCHOTEN Staff Writer DONA BIERMAN Staff Writer W. KENT GOBLE Sports Writer DALE SIMONS Sports Columnist DANNY JOHNSON Typesetter Copyright Magna TknasWest Valley News rights reserved. Reproduction, reuse, or transmittal ot afl matter herein Is prohibited without prior written permission by the publisher or editor. ft AN The Magna Times and West Valley News candidate to oppose Congressman Chris Cannon in the Third Congressional District. Democratic voter turnout on the west side, especially in Magna and Kearns, was quite a bit down from normal. This impacted totals in all the county races and gave Ron Allen only a 44 vote advantage in Senate District 13 which normally is considered a safe Democratic Senate seat. Crompton is a hard worker and will most likely keep her promise to bring credible Democratic candidates to all the races. Jim Matheson, son of former Governor Scott Matheson, is con- sidered a serious candidate for Merrill Cook's seat in Congress. Crompton is looking seriously at an seat on the new Salt Lake County Council. She has not secured candidates at this point either to oppose Chris Cannon in the next congressional race or a viable candidate for the new county mayor position but she feels that this will soon happen. She has had more success with finding strong legislative candidates to fight for some of the seats that could fall into the Democratiq.cpjumn. U&Rift Dear Concerned Citizens: known as Mini-thin- s or They are in all convenience stores. Why? We talked to many clerks If you have children or grandchildren please read this carefully! selling this substance and most of There is an epidemic in Utah that them knew it was used to make will affect their future in one way METH. was the only one we or another. It is a problem of enorfound with moral ethics. They mous proportion that is quickly won't sell it Reason 2 is the complacency of getting out of control. It is a drug called "Crystal Meth." Meth is parents and citizens of Utah. Some highly addictive, readily available, say they didn't know the severity of and affordable. Meth is a cause of the problem, and some say they the increase in violent crime. It is know how serious it is but feel also a factor in the increase of suithere is nothing they can do about cides in our young people. It causes it Come on parents, get your head an intense high, followed by out of the sand. GET MAD! There is plenty that you can do to stop depression. Children from even the this evil. Take your power as a parbest, most loving homes will experiment with things during their teen ent and make a difference. 1 . Ask years. Meth can be addicting with your convenience store if only one use. Meth can cause organ they sell ephedrine. If they do, tell failure, Meth can kill. Meth use is them you will buy your gas and involving all ethnic groups, all goodies elsewhere until they social classes, all religions, and all remove it from their shelves. Then schools whether public or private. do it! In 1996 California was 1 for pro2. Contact your child's school and duction and use of Meth. Now ask if they teach about Meth use. I Utah is rated 1. The TV news and know they teach a lot about the use newspapers are full of reports of marijuana, but marijuana will about "Meth Labs." Meth is cooked not kill your child. Meth will. in homes, apartments, and hotel Become informed. Talk to your rooms. It is highly flammable, child! toxic, and the fumes of the cooking 3. Write a senator or congressman of Meth can be deadly to children for tighter controls on the asking and elderly living in those areas. It ingredients. is boiled down into a powder and 4. Tell friends, family, neighbors, then can be eaten, sniffed, smoked, about this letter. or injected. The internet is full of and Meth recipes. Copy it if you like and send it to There are two reasons why Utah everyone you know. This problem will not go away until we make it is 1 for Meth production. The first that the go away. Even if we make it harder are so being ingredients for the cooks to make and the kids readily available here. Ephedrine to get, we will have accomplished (speed) is the main ingredient and can be bought in huge quantities in something. Please join us in fighting this evil. gas station convenience stores. There are few or no restrictions Become a Parent Against Meth. We ask for no dues, no yearly fees. All placed upon these substances. One gas station sells toy cars on one we ask is that you CARE and be shelf for the enjoyment of children aware. and a substance that can kill them on another. Ephedrine is also A Parent Against Meth community. Magna has two councils: the Area Council, which schedules meetings at the County Library for the first Thursday of each month, and the Community Council, which meets at the Senior Citizens Center and schedules its meetings on the last Thursday of each month. Both councils start their meetings at 7 p.m.; they are open to the public and typically end around 8:30 p.m. At council meetings, upcoming community projects and activities are planned and discussed, zoning issues of various nature are gone over and sometimes voted upon, information on crime prevention, and various other matters of community concern are handled. The last several meetings have gone over a number of zoning issues ranging from the size of lots in the Elk Run home development, to private use of alleyways and new commercial projects. Plans are moving ahead for a storage right off of 3500 South near the 7200 West intersection; private land owners whose properties border alleyways have been given right to utilize such if certain parameters and qualifications are met; and opposition has been voiced against the county allowing the Elk Run project to develop much smaller lots than approved by Magna Council members. These type of moves where the county goes against council desires have been a sore spot among council persons for years. Again, the issue of Magna governing itself and controlling its own destiny has been raised, but more on that later. : Local Deputy Sheriffs are often in attendance at council meetings with reports on Sheriff Department works pertinent to our community. Recently, council members were informed of a "nuisance eviction" program where deputies can force eviction on any persons engaging in repeated gang andor drug related activities in a residence. Law enforcement officers work with city or county attorneys to obtain such eviction orders, and therefore seeking support of local councils and citizens Of note, works have already started for this years community "Night Out Against Crime." Last year's event was a success, and more information will be out soon on this years happening. Local events were discussed including the upcoming Brockbank Jr. High birthday celebra50-ye- ar tion and the Cowboy Poetry Contest held several weeks ago. The Brockbank celebration should be a fun time out for those who attend, and it is scheduled to be held at the school on Wednesday, April 28 with a number of activities planned. The Cowboy Poetry Contest was reportedly a very enjoyable experience for those who attended, but turnout was rather poor. This event had been set up to raise funds for the July Fourth Magna fireworks, but promoters said they were lucky to just cover expenses for the event Both councils discussed how such projects could be helped to be a better success in the future, and die possibility of a community talent show is being considered. Another upcoming event was also discussed with support from both councils, the Magna Spring Widows Project For a number of years, our town has had spring clean-up- s, but it was decided to begin specifically focusing on the needs of widows, single mothers, and disabled persons. General yard sprucing and minor home repairs are being offered free of charge on the Project Day and the event is being overseen by the Farthright Foundation, a charity group which will A light rail task force has been formed to formulate recommendations regarding the west-ealight rail transit project The endeavor was undertaken by the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the st Transportation Management AssociationUtah. The force is comprised of Jess Agraz, Transportation Management Association, and chair of the task force; Bob Farrington, Downtown Alliance; Kem Gardner, The Boyer Company; Russell Homer, LDS Church; Larry G. Mankin, Salt Lake Chamber, Ed McCaffrey, Newspaper Agency Corporation; Pat Richards, First Security Bank. The task force will recommend a position for the Salt Lake Chamber's Board of Governors to take in regards to the configuration of the east-welight rail transit the task force In addition, project will develop criteria and recommendations for the formation and empowerment of a project management task force. The task force will work with Utah Transit Authority, UTA, to minimize construction-relate- d impacts to the business st community. "It is imperative that the private sector take the lead in forming a public-privatask force," said Jess A. Agraz, executive director, te Domestic violence, vehicle burglaries top list of major crimes in county area Domestic violence and vehicle burglaries lead the list of major crimes in the area of Salt Lake County, according to a recent report from the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office. Deputy Troy Miller, West Patrol, said the report covers crimes that occurred during the period of of April 3-- 9. Domestic violence in Taylorsville totaled 16, followed by Magna with 15 and Kearns close behind with 13. Magna led in vehicle burglaries with 15, followed by Kearns with 10 and Taylorsville with 9. Aggravated assaults were almost Kearns recorded 2, and Magna and Taylorsville had only 1 each. Simple assault totaled 7 in Taylorsville, 6 in Kearns and 5 non-existe- in Magna. The highest number of major k crimes during the period was theft, 22 in Taylorsville, but. only 6 in Kearns and 2 in Magna. Residential burglaries accounted for 10 in Taylorsville but only 2 in Kearns and 1 in Magna. k Overall, for the period, had 79 Taylorsville reported major crimes; Keams had 61; and Magna one-wee- one-wee- reported 42, according to the report AMBROSE Subscription $18 per year $21 per year out of state 1o: (801)250-565- FAX 487-373- 7. And finally, considerable discussion has been had at council meetings relating to Magna's rights to govern itself as a community and also protect its borders. The councils have agreed to work together on checking out the possibility of incorporation. But, there has not been a lot of support from Salt Lake County officials who refused to give us our vote on incorporation a few years ago, even after Magna residents had legally petitioned for such; and, the county was also apparently influential in getting the legislation passed which retroactively "nullified" but township petition which was to try and protect Magna's borders from annexation by other already incorporated entities. Word has it now that the county might give us a vote on incorporation if another petition is submitted with the required number of signatures, but with very limited bound- aries for our town - city limits would stop where Kennecott begins. Kennecott, the industry around which our century and a half old town was built! The county obviously does not want to lose the tax base of Kennecott No wonder there has been talk of a lawsuit against Salt Lake County for such actions. The Area Council even had a representative from one of Salt Lake's finer law firms out to a meeting to discuss the possibility. Again, council meetings are open to the public, and citizen input on matters that affect our community are welcome.' ' Transportation Management Association. "The task force will insure that the design and scheduling issues that affect the business community are addressed early in the process." The task force will present its rec- ommendation to the chamber's board of governors at its meeting April 27. Absentee voting offered According to Sherrie Swensen, Salt Lake County Clerk, absentee voting is now available in her office until May 3, 1999. Residents who reside in the boundaries of Salt Lake City School District or the proposed area of the Holladay Cottonwood Incorporation who will be unable to vote at their polling place on Election Day, May 4, 1999, may vote absentee at 2001 South State, South Building, Room 1100 (Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m.) Swensen explained that there are two simple ways to cast an absentee ballot. Either request an absentee application and ballot lot and vote by mail, or cast an absentee ballot in the Elections Office until May 3, 1999. "Voters who will not be able get to their polling location during polling hours on election day, may vote absentee." regarding absentee ballots or 8 (801) Foundation at (801) For further information 8980 W. 2700 So. Magna, UT 84044 or mation, contact the Farthright present recommendations are published each Thursday Postmaster: Send change of addreaa Magna Times Saturday, May 15 with a communi- ty picnic and softball tournament to be held afterwards. Trucks, yard tools, and volunteers are needed as well as homes and addresses of widows and single mothers who could use the help. For more infor- light rail task force Newly-forme- d 7-- offers services to the elderly as well as programs for troubled youth. The event is planned for the May 4th Special Elections, please call the Elections Division at 6 The Magna Times is a bonlfled newspaper -- e MMIMTOf IM tUfi Press Association virecgfl fi POOR