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Show THE PARK RECORD WED/THURS/FRI, FEBRUARY 9-11, 2005 Viewpoints. A- EDITORIAL Leave room for the two-wheel drivers eathers will continue lo ruffle and middle fingers will continue to fly even if the legislation passes. But House Bill 49 is a strong step toward improving road relations between Utah drivers and bicyclists. Where possible, the bill requires motorists, whether passing, following or traveling next lo cyclists, to yield at least three feet to riders. Though improving road shoulders, striping bike lanes and paving more non-motorized trails for commuters, should be higher priorities, in the interest of immediately improving safety, we encourage the Utah Legislature to pass HB 49. Park City roadies say the law is long overdue, but fortunately. Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City, the bill's sponsor, realizes that cyclists come in many forms. Commuters, children and visitors, who rent bicycles for the day. are safer when drivers are more aware. Before the House of Representatives approved HB 49 last week and advanced the legislation to the Senate, 19 lawmakers opposed the bill. Language had already been softened in the law to provide for motorists, who, because of narrow roadways, bad weather or oncoming traffic, might not be able to provide three feet of space between their car and bicyclists on the road. However, some representatives are still wary of officers potentially ticketing motorists who get loo close. Bikes are a nuisance and create headaches for motorists all over the state, F they say. Though state laws provide bicycles with the same rights to the road as cars, we too, strongly encourage cyclists to be courteous and obey statutes. Ride only two abreast and as close to the shoulder of the road as possible. The bill's opponents represent the feelings of their constituents and bicyclists aren't the most popular users of Utah's roadways. McGee wisely acknowledges that battles between drivers, surrounded by metal, glass and airbags, and cyclists, protected only with plastic and Lycra are one-sided and can end badly. Though, continuing to educate both groups about laws of the road will assist them in making the biggest strides toward safer highways for everyone. If passed, and the discussion and threat of a citation encourages one driver to yield more willingly to a cyclist, HB 49 succeeds. Bicyclists should use the bill's passage as an opportunity to cooperate with drivers and potentially save their lives. The Summit County Commission should lake a cue from representatives attempting to make roads safer for cyclists and consider the many riders who commute on Brown's Canyon Road, when reconstruction of the narrow highway begins this spring. According to McGee, motorists killed six cyclists in Utah last year. Bike lanes and wider road shoulders in Brown's Canyon could prevent senseless deaths in eastern Summit County. JOHN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR the mine waste from Empire Pass using the laborative decision to begin work in the Mine Road. I recently purchased a home on upper portion of the watershed was made the Mine Road to be able lo enjoy the after extensive sile investigation, sampling amenities Old Town has to offer. Of course and analysis efforts and risk assessmenls the traffic issue was a concern to me as I was completed by EPA and the Utah Editor: looking for a home. When it was explained Department of Environmental Quality in I am a resident of Old Town and deeply to me that construction trucks associated conjunction with the Upper Silver Creek concerned with the city's recommendation with Empire Pass development are required Watershed Stakeholders Group to move the mine waste from Empire Pass lo descend via Royal Street (as part of (USCWSG). Superfund provides the development right through the heart of our Construction Mitigation Plans) I was some- authority to conduct these studies and begin historic district. what relieved. Being somewhat familiar with removing waste. The law requires EPA and I was encouraged to see PCMC respond to the operation of semis and dump trucks, it UPCM to complete an Engineering the request of the Marsac Corridor was nice to realize that I would not have to Evaluation/Cost Analysis, which summaAssociation to hire an independent consul- be afraid of runaway trucks coming down rizes site information and recommends Ihe tant to analyze the information collected on the Mine Road. most appropriate cleanup option for a site or the Mine Waste toxicily and remediation contaminated area. In the case of the Silver After living there for a couple of months. options before making a decision which has Creek Watershed. EPA and the USCWSG significant, long-term impacts for our com- I was wrong. Currently, 1 see dump trucks have intentionally stayed away from getting hauling snow coming down the Mine Road munity. I hope that PCMC follows through immersed in the technicalities of the on the recommendation to conduct more at unsafe speeds. Let alone every taxi cab Superfund process by not including the research on surface vs. groundwater contam- and hotel shuttle coming through our 20 watershed sites on the Superfund List and ination, additional study on the metal con- mph zone at well over 40 mph. Part of my instead taking the most open, collaborative centration in the Silver Creek fish, and met- reasoning for living in Old Town is so I can and efficient road to solving the environals reduction with the various remediation walk to town, have easy access to the trail mental issues in Park City. system and be able to walk my dog not far options. from my home. Yet the worst part of any This problem-solving, common-sense When the additional studies are complete, walk is leaving my house. With no si^walks, and if PCMC still determines the mine,waste .and traffic moving.at higji speeds, Hear for approach protects recreational visitors and needs to be moved (rather than capped on myself, neighbors and pqts when trying to go construction, workers, conducting .cleanup ',' wfthiri Enipire Canyon from exposure lo site), I strongly suggest that the Mine Road for a walk. metals. The cleanup plan also protects fish, is not considered as the primary route of birds and other ecological receptors inhabitNow I find out that it is suggested to use travel for the 3,900 trucks. The steep 12-percent grades, the pedestrian and bicycle traf- the Mine Road for 3,900 trucks to remove ing the area. The waste that would be moved fic on Marsac Avenue and the proximity of the Empire Pass mine waste. Royal Street and contained in the canyon is small in volover 30 homes (some within five feet) pre- may have some curves but there are many ume compared to the waste that already sent a significant public safety issue. In the reasons why it is a much safer route for exists as a result of historic mining activities. TTie mine waste throughout the watershed last eight years, there have been a total of trucks going back down from Empire Pass. The number one issue is the grade of the will be excavated or contained safely in 112 accidents recorded by UDOT is the vicinity of the lower Mine Road and Marsac Mine Road versus Royal Street. It is my place. EPA believes that any waste material can we call the "impact zone." One-fourth of understanding that Royal Street was desigthese accidents were attributed lo excessive nated as the primary access to upper Deer be safely contained in the canyon, or safely speeds, runaway vehicles, defective brakes Valley as part of the original Deer Valley transported to the Richardson impoundand stop sign violations. Seven of these Master Plan. The 12-perccnt grade of the ment. It is not technically feasible lo remove involved trucks. We have not forgotten the Mine Road will, as it has in the past, cause all of Ihe contaminated material in the two most recent accidents on the Mine loss of brakes for these trucks. There are no Upper Watershed. The native material itself Road, one of which was a fatality and the homes directly on Royal Street. To come contains mineral bands laden with metals, other involved a runaway truck smashing down the Mine Road the trucks must then and the historic mine waste piles have existinto parked cars and homes. Both of these go down Marsac. Both of these roads have ed for many years. The transportation issue accidents took place after the truck ramp many houses with very little setback due to can be solved locally, but not at the cost of the historical nature of Old Town. The Mine harming relationships that have been built was installed. Road is not the safest route for these truck with the stakeholders- including Ihe commuThere is a reason why all the Construction coming downhill, and another accident will nity, or straying from the common-sense Mitigation Plans associated with conditional occur, but at what cost? approach that dedicated people have use permits for Upper Deer Valley developworked ment require that trucks go down Royal The goal is to continue to cleanup the Street. The Mine Road is not safe for truck Sincerely, Ryan Eittreim watershed and protect the environment by travel and presents an unacceptable risk to striving to meet water quality standards in the health, welfare and safety of our resi- Park City the most cost-efficient manner. Il is EPA's dents and guests. hope that all stakeholders can agree on the If PCMC insists on using the Mine Road best solution to this issue of transporting the lo remove the mine waste, I strongly urge waste - without losing sght of the big picthat PCMC, Talisker and their subcontrac- Editor: ture. tors post bonds lo cover the cost of liability Jay Hamburger's Feb. 2 article, titled and lawsuits, which will arise from any acci- "Empire truck decision again delayed," Sincerely, dents lhal might occur. described local controversy between United Peggy Churchill Park City Mines. (UPCM), Park City EPA Remedial Project Manager Sincerely, Municipal Corporation and Park City resiDenver Strike Fongeallaz dents concerning the potential transport of Park City mine waste from Empire Canyon to the Richardson Flat tailings sile. The mine waste removal in Empire Canyon began in spring 2004 as part of a Editor: much larger cleanup designed to address To the person who stole my white, heavy metals contamination throughout the Dynastar, 178 cm, "Inspired" skis (three Upper Silver Creek Watershed. UPCM, nicks on top of right ski. just forward of the Editors: I am writing to express my concerns about with EPA oversight, has cleaned up a third Rotlifella binding) al Silver Lake on the city's recommendation in front of the of the Empire Canyon drainage and will Thursday, Feb. 3 al noon: Planning Commission in regard to removing complete the work by fall of 2006. The colI sincerely hope that you are a fellow telemarker and not a thief who simply will sell them on eBay. I wish you great pleasure on my skis - I can tell you that they arc excellent in all conditions. They are best in powder and crud. but hold up very well on the ab@parkrecord.com Andy Bernhard hard pack. I suggest you keep a sharp oneeditor@parkrecord.com Nan Chalat-Noaker degree bevel with a detune of the shovel and ads@parkrecord.com Valerie Deming tail - I found this to be optimum. I really do citynews@parkrecord.com Jay Hamburger wanl you to get all you can out of them. countynews@parkrecord.com Patrick Parkinson That said, I hope you don't consider youreducation @ parkrecord.com Jared Whitley self to be a member of the Wasatch teleMatt James arts@parkrecord.com marker community who enjoys the resorts sports@parkrecord.com Adia Waldburger and the backcountry. I know that tele-skiers business@parkrecord.com Anna Bloom feel a sense of comradeship. We revel in the photo@parkrecord.com Scott Sine beauty of telemark skiing and acknowledge Grayson West photo@parkrecord.com one another whenever we see a fellow "pinkat@parkrecord.com Kat James ner." We feel fortunate to actually live by Mike Duffy circulation@parkrecord.com Ihe saying, "Free the heel and free the production @par krecord.com Matt Gordon mind." We watch out for each other and realestate@parkrecord.com Chris Gill always offer help when someone is in trouInkarna Black classifieds@parkrecord.com ble. scoreboard@parkrecord.com Joe Lair So enjoy the skis, but know this: You are NOT a member of lliis community of wonThe Park Record welcomes lellers to the edllor on any subject. We ask lhat the letters adhere to Ihe following derful tele-people - people who will keep an guldellnes:They must include the address and telephone number of author. No letter will be published under an Mine waste disposal EPA cleanup Dump truck danger Park Record'e-mail addresses assumed name. They must not contain libelous material. Writers are limited to one letter every 29 days. Letters must not be longer than 350 words (guest editorials, 550 words) and should If possible, be typed. Wo reserve the rfght lo edit lellers H they are too long or if they contain statements we consider unnecessary offensive or obscene. In addition, thank you letters are limited In length with regard to businesses and event sponsors. Tele-ski thief eye out for my Dynastars from Deer Valley to "The Bird." Should your conscience kick in. or your desire to not be on Ihe bad side of the karmic ledger, you can quietly deliver them to the ski shack at Silver Lake, any Cole Sport store or the White Pine Touring store (next to the car wash). Just leave them outside the door - these friends of mine, and many others, will know what to do if the skis should "magically show up." Doing the right thing will be a better ride for you than you could ever get on a stolen ski. Thanks to all, Rob Kidwell Park City Property rights trampled Editor: It appears after all these years that the spirit, doctrine and philosophy of Democracy have diminished in the planning and actions of our Summit County govern"ment "Howelse could these so-called leaders deprive its constituencies of a lifetime of struggle and hard work to build their "American Dream," to have it stolen before their eyes - leaving only despair and misery? Our "American Dream" is about 21 acres of land. Land lhat took years to pay for. Land that would be a reward for hard work. Land that showed us a light at the end of the tunnel. Land that indicated thai the struggle and sacrifice was worth il. But now, after 30 years of teaching the children of Summit County, this dream for retirement is very cloudy. Retirement: Those golden years when you put your cares and woes behind. Now thai we are 76 years old, retirement is a normal desire, but our county is not on the same page. We have been down-zoned four times because the county feels it would be nice for the tourists to see the open view space behind Miss Billie's Preschool. We wonder why the County Planning Department didn't tell that to the developers who built hundreds of homes immediately north, south and west of our properly. Did the county offer to buy our land for open space? No! Did they offer us an alternative plan? No! Did they pay the taxes and mortgage over the years? No! Do they care if we live or die? No! Am I truly in the right place? Am I living in America? Is this where freedom reigns "Of the People, By the People and For the People?" What has happed to individual property rights? Has the Constitution become a blank piece of paper? aware and interested in purchasing daffodHs. The flower is the symbol of hope. I hope thai your time will be an investnienl you arc wiJIing to share. If you would like lo volunteer, phone me at (435) 647-3704 or e-mail josettc.dorius@hsc.utah.edu. It is a great volunteer effort lo be able Jo give these beautiful flowers to people knowing that the contribution is going to such*a worthy cause. * Josette Dorius Daffodil chair. Park City ; ; Making 224 safer ; Editor: I Thank you UDOT for improving the salfcty on S.R. 224 by installing a lurn signal jit Bear Hollow Drive and Silver Springs. ;It has been long needed, and UDOT listened to our community. Let's all join together protecting our children wliile on the roa£l. Two other Park City moms and I have started a nonprofit organization to provide car seals to families in need in our community We have already put in our first order for c&r seats, which will be available in a few da^s. Thank you to all who donated to Roscy's Car Seats for Kids, and to our local WalMart for helping make this work. Please cohlact us for more information. Write or cajl: Naomi Doyle, Rosey's Car Seats for Kids, P.O. Box 981882, Park Cily. Utah 840<& 649-4194. Sincerely, Naomi Doyle The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Contributing writers Editor's assistant Classified advertising Office manager Circulation manager Accounting manager Advertising director Advertising sales Miss Billie (Koleman) Park City Volunteers needed for Daffodil Days Editor: I am wriling you on behalf of the American Cancer Society fundraiser evenl "Daffodil Days." Daffodil Days are March 14-18. I am looking for volunteers lo help with this great event in raising community awareness about cancer and to generate funds for research, education and treatment. The dollars raised arc essential to help find a cure for this disease that has touched so many lives. There are a variety of tasks for anyone who is interested in supporting this worthy cause. The tasks include passing flyers, church sales, phone order calling and deliveries. We will need volunteers during February and through March IS to fulfill the various tasks surrounding Daffodil Days. Depending on the number of volunteers, the tasks can be managed very effectively so no one is over-extended. As you know, there is now realistic hope for individuals currently diagnosed with cancer. Cure rates for most conditions have increased significantly over the past decade. It is my hope that everyone in Park City is Visit The Park Record website at zowzaparkrecord.com Editorial production Photographers Production director Production Distribution Pat Parkinson Joe Lair Jared Whitley Adia Waldburger Matt James Anna Bloom Tom Clyde Ten Orr Jay Meehan Joan Jacobson Silvia Leavitt Linda Jager Courtney Herzinger Inkarna Black Sheree Durastanti Holly VanDenAmeele Michael Duffy Kate Fischer Valerie Deming Wendy Halliday Anne Anderson Molly Ballard Cheryn McNicol Teresa Chavez Lacy Brundy Chris Gill Annie Macdonald Kat James Scott Sine Grayson West Matt Gordon Kristi Ruppert Scott Schlenker Jason Plawecki Kyle Burress Kim Vance Jon Smedley Chris Anderson Todd Kendall John Kllboum Cartoonist Contents of the The Park Record titt copyright O 2005. Diversified Suburban Newspapers. All righl^ reserved. No portion may be reproduced in am* form without written consent of ihe managing edij tor or publisher. The Park Record (USPS 37S-73O) (ISSN 0745 9483) is published twice weekly by Diversified" Suburban Newspapers. 1670 Bonanza Dr.. ParlJ City. Utah. Periodicals Postage paid at Park Cily Utah. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tim Park Record, Box 3688, Park Cily. Utah £4060? Entered as second class mailer, May 25.1977 al post office in Park City, Utah 84060. under ihe Ac* of March 3, 1897. Subscription rales are S37 insidij Summit County, S70 outside Summit County. Ulah Subscriptions are transferable: S5 cancellation fee Phone (435) 649-9014 or fxx (435) 649-4941 Published every Wednesday and Saturday. |