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Show TTod lEaflfitoiP Dear Editor: The Board of Education and the administration of the Davis County School District regret the misunderstanding over the issue of Davis High School constructing a concrete "D" on the hillside in Fruit Heights. We are all proud of the studentbody at Davis High, of their achievements and of their school spirit. It is unfortunate that the Board many years ago did not put into effect a policy or guidelines guide-lines regarding the issue of off campus displays. Had the Board done so the present problem might have been avoided. As Supt. Rich Kendell has explained, the district has only limited jurisdiction in this matter and can therefore only offer recommendations. But our concerns over danger to students and damage to the environment are real. Contrary to the editorial edito-rial in the March 23 issue of the Clipper the school board is in no way trying to legislate community standards. We are only -issuing guidelines reflecting our concerns. Sheryl Allen, President Davis County School Board ' U.S. Attorney Brent C. Ward's recent "My View" letter, indicating a need for better balance between protection of the victim and criminal rights, was timely and informative. Evidence of an imbalance is noted in medical, therapy, rehabilitation, re-habilitation, etc. provisions that are not legally provided for victims, but are readily available for criminals. Criminal rights far exceed victim rights. A classic example was the incredible 13-year court stay of execution of Selby, Utah's most heinous torture-killer. His guilt was at the time proven beyond a reasonable doubt, self-confessed, and con-firmed con-firmed by surviving witnesses. Every conceivable, and often J frivolous, legal maneuver was used by defense attorneys to prevent the legally-mandated execution of a cold-blooded murderer mur-derer while the ongoing suffering of the victims and their families was ignored. Moreover, Utah's appointed State Board of Pardons (who recently protested the passage of a law to allow victims to testify at parole release hearings) said that the Supreme Sup-reme Court's decision for Selby's execution was most difficult to endorse. As Attorney Ward alludes, of particular concern are child ! victims, whose legal defense and rights are solely dependent ; upon the court system. Surely the balance of the scales of justice : should favor an innocent, helpless victim, with no means of self-defense. Legal maneuvetings, harassment and technicalities technicali-ties to avoid prosecution of a proven and convicted child murderer mur-derer or molester should not be tolerated. As a former legislative sponsor of child abuse legislation , it is encouraging that Attorney Brent C. Ward's office supports greater public awareness and appropriate legislative and administrative admi-nistrative remedies to better balance the scales of justice between be-tween innocent victims and convicted criminals. J.E. Smith Former State Legislator Tooele County |