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Show A-19 Viewpoints. THE PARK RECORD SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, NOVEMBER 12-15, 2005 EDITORIAL Public service cant be measured in ranted, an elected officials worth is impossible to measure. That is why coming up with a sensible pay scale for commissioners, councilors and mayors often sparks contentious debate. The intangible qualities that make a good leader - fairness and integrity at the top of the list -- do not translate into a tidy equation. The hours are irregular, at best, and the emotional wear and tear of being in the public eye probably can't be assuaged with money. The proposed county councilors' salaries may be the deciding factor in how Summit County residents vote on a proposal to switch from the current threeman commission form of government to a five-man board with an appointed county manager. It is, therefore, appropriate that the Change of Governance committee, formed in the wake of voters' support for looking into the change, addressed the topic. The committee supports the change of government and, this week, suggested that members of a fiveman county council should not be paid as much as those who currently serve in an almost full-time capacity, on the three-man county commission. Summit County Commissioners currently earn $50,000 per year and receive an additional $20,000 in benefits. Adding two members would cost taxpayers an additional $140,000. Hiring a city manager could add another $50,000 to $100,000. That is a lot of money for administration - money that could be spent on additional law enforcement G NOW DO WE WANT TO GO TO NEW MAIN STREET OR JUST REGULAR OLD MAIN STREET...I HAVE A HARD TIME MAKING DECISIONS! officers, building inspectors, planners or other equally important public servants. Those who support paying elected officials higher salaries argue that ensuring adequate compensation expands the field of potential candidates beyond a select few wealthy enough to put in the time with little compensation. Those who oppose higher salaries say serving the community shouldn't be about the money. Without commenting on the current commission salary level, it is apparent that the workload, divided among five representatives, would be lighter. It would be even less arduous if some of the legwork was assumed by a competent county manager. The sensible approach, one that would likely be most palatable to voters, would be to redistribute but not increase, the $210,000 spent on the commissioners. Subtract $80,000 for a professional county manager, trained in public administration, then divide the remaining $130,000 among the five councilors bringing their salary/benefits package to $26,000 annually. Remarkably, that amount is right in line with what Park City Council members receive ($21,000 per year including benefits). Elected officials at the local level are supposed to be laymen who work part time to set policies that guide a professional staff. As the system is now, parttime laymen are trying to do a full-time professional job and no amount of money will make that work effectively. JOHN K\LBO\JBUIPARK RECORD LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ~ Low voter turnout Editor: It is always sad and disappointing when this great community has such a low voter turnout. Thanks to the 11 percent of registered Park City voters who cared. Emily Elliott Election judge Park City Attend an education symposium Dear Park City Community, The Park City Education Foundation would like to invite students, parents, educators and anyone interested in supporting our children's education to a free symposium. We will be hosting "Reaching the Top: A Discussion about Excellence in Education," Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Ecker Hill International School at 4:30 p.m. Jay Mathews, the Newsweek and Washington Post education reporter and Nancy DeFord, former superintendent of the Park City School District will be our featured guests. Jay Mathews developed the annual "America's Best High Schools" list and has been collaborating with the PCEF and PCSD Assessment Committees in drafting a School District Report Card. The Report Card has been designed using 10 specific areas of criteria to evaluate a school district as a whole, encompassing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The results of the report card would allow the PCSD to track year-to-year comparisons, as well as points of comparisons between our district and bench- mark school districts. Join us to learn more about how the Park City School District can achieve the distinction as a "Top 10" school district. Vikki Davis Park City Education Foundation Board Missing person investigation Editor: I am asking all Park City residents to write Utah Governor Huntsman and ask him to support Alabama Gov. Bob Riley in his request to boycott the island state of Aruba in response to the Natalee Holloway incident. I believe this is the right and moral thing to due and hope you do to. Sincerely, Brent H. Smith Park City Wow! What a week Editor: Many thanks to Dr. Tim Mellin, Debbie Hoffmeyer and the rest of the Kiwanis Club. Last Thursday, they came to the Trailside third grade classrooms with at least 100 books. The children were able to choose a book, read with one of the grownups, enjoy a snack provided by the Kiwanis and then take their book home. And if that weren't enough, on Friday, Sally Elliott and Dr. Clark, from the Rotary Club, brought each child in third grade their very own dictionary! Thank you so much to these wonder- ab@parkrecord.com editor@parkrecord.com ads@parkrecord.com citynews@parkrecord.com cou ntyn ews ©park record. co m education@parkrecord.com arts@parkrecord.com sports@parkrecord.com business@parkrecord.com photo @ park record. com photo@parkrecord.com kat@parkrecord.com circulation@parkrecord.com production@parkrecord.com realestate@parkrecord.com classifieds@parkrecord.com scoreboard@parkrecord.com holly@parkrecord.com The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. We ask that the letters adhere to the following guidelines:They must Include the address and telephone number of author. No letter will be published under an assumed name. They must not contain libetous material. Writers are limited to one letter ovary 2B days. Letters must not be longer than 300 words (guest editorials, 550 words) and should it possible, be typed. We reserve the right to edit letters if they are too long or if they contain statements we consider unnecessarily offensive or obscene. In addition, thank you letters are limited to sEx individuals, businesses and event sponsors. For the record Sincerely, Nancy Massey Trailside third grade students and teachers Nix all-day kindergarten Editor: I am disappointed that Utah lawmakers are considering all-day kindergarten as a way to increase Utah test scores. 1 suggest that all-day kindergarten is not the answer, but rather a curriculum that includes physical education. I have made it my life's passion to work with kids in the field of education. After visiting with nearly 100,000 students in the western states, with the goal of helping them adopt healthy lifestyles, I believe the answer is more time for physical activity - not more class time. I hold a masters degree in education and my thesis was about healthy education options for kids. 1 have visited with numerous teachers and students at the elementary school level. After these visits, 1 don't agree with the theory that more time in the classroom translates into academic success. The new food and exercise pyramid for children seems to be in direct conflict with the Utah proposal of all-day kindergarten. Data indicates a sharp increase in obesity rates among our youth. There is no time in the school day to relax and exert physical activity as a means of good health. History points to reasons other than more class time as factors for lower test scores. These lower test scores were not evident years ago when PE was still part of the curriculum. Give the kids a break from all of this time with studies and let them be kids and allow them some time to get some physical activity. Kindergartners are not ready for full days. Education "experts" have been piling on coursework for over 10 years with no measurable improvement on test scores. I look at Montessori schools with selfpaced curriculum and see impressive results. This seems to negate the theory that "more time in the classroom relates to academic success." GUEST EDITORIAL"" Park Record e-mail addresses Andy Bernhard Nan Chalat-Noaker Valerie Deming Jay Hamburger Patrick Parkinson Jared Whitley Matt James Adia Waldburger Anna Bloom Scott Sine Grayson West Kat James Mike Duffy Matt Gordon Chris Gill Inkarna Black Joe Lair Office Manager/Front Desk ful people and their service clubs. Coping with serious illness By DANNY ROYER I know of two brothers who shared a bedroom. One of the boys slept peacefully every night. He embraced the dark room as a place where all was quiet, safe and peaceful. The other one grew anxious and afraid as soon as the lights went out. He imagined monsters and danger in the darkness. They shared the exact same environment; the only difference was how they perceived that environment. Not long ago, I attended a meeting for cancer survivors. About 50 people were present. Everyone there had been diagnosed with cancer, except for me. I was invited because I had written about coping with cancer within my family. Some of those in attendance were currently in treatment. Several ladies had covered their balding heads with hats or scarves and many appeared to be tired and weak. Others had been in remission for a while and seemed to be doing well. The facilitator asked participants how their diagnosis had affected their lives. People said things like, "My priorities changed," and "I realized what was truly important." The most surprising thing to me is how many of them counted the experience of lifethreatening disease as a blessing. People spoke of experiencing freedom when their lives were purged of all the superficial stuff that once demanded so much time, attention and affection. Not that the purging was easy - it never is - but it resulted in a fresh perspective. People spoke of a new appreciation of life and of feeling as if their eyes had been opened. I have the unique, daily experience of visiting with people who are faced with limited life expectancy. They are often struggling with the loss of physical abilities and independence. There are practical ways that the hospice team can help these people to be more comfortable, but some things are beyond human control. Here are some things that caregivers can do to inspire loved ones toward a more positive perspective: a. Remind them of the people who love and care for them. b. Encourage them to share their life stories and recall meaningful memories. c. Affirm them in what they have accomplished and contributed. d. Assure them that they will not be forgotten. I often tell people that God is full of love and mercy, and that he responds to sincere, humble prayer. He cares for each individual as a good shepherd cares for every little lamb. Sometimes I sing little songs of blessing and peace. One of my favorite lines goes like this: "There is peace in the time of trouble; peace in the midst of the storm. Peace, though the world be raging; in the shelter of God's arms." Danny Royer is a freelance writer and chaplain for the Hospice Alliance. November is National Hospice Month. Readers may email the author at loopid@msn.com. Visit The Park Record Web site at www.parkrecord.com I encourage teachers and parents to speak up on behalf of the kids. Please be an advocate for your own children with regard to their health and overall wellbeing. In service to kids, Cowboy Ted Hallisey Kanab, Utah The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Pat Parkinson Jared Whitley Adia Waldburger Matt James Anna Bloom Joe Lair Contributing writers Tom Clyde Ten Orr Jay Meehan Joan Jacobson Silvia Leavitt Linda Jager Editors assistant Courtney Herzinger Classified advertising Inkarna Black Kristi Ruppert' Office manager Holly VanDenAmeele Circulation manager Michael Duffy Accounting manager Kate Fischer Advertising director Valerie Deming Advertising sales Wendy Halliday Anne Anderson Teresa Chavez Lacy Brundy Chris Gill Annie Macdonald Lori Gull Editorial production Kat James Photographers Scott Sine Grayson West Production director Matt Gordon Production Scott Schlenker Jason Plawecki Kyle Burress Kim Vance Jon Smedley Becky Larsen Distribution Chris Anderson Todd Kendall Antonio Contreras Cartoonist John Kilbourn Contents of the 77K; Park Record are copyright © 2005, Diversified Suburban Newspapers. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the managing editor or publisher. The Park Record fUSPS 37R-73O) (ISSN 07459453) is published twice weekly by Diversified Suburban Newspapers, 1670 Bonanza Dr., Park City, Utah- Periodicals Postage paid at Park City, Utah. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Park Record, Box 3688, Park City, Utah 84060. Entered as second class matter. May 25, 1977 at the post office in Park City, Utah 84060, under the Act of March 3, 1897. Subscription rates are $37 inside Summit County1, $70 outside Summit County, Utah. Subscriptions are transferrable; $5 cancellation fee. Phone (435) 649-9014 or fax (435) 649-4942. Published every Wednesday and Saturday. Home delivery subscriptions in Summit County include delivery of the Sunday edition of The Salt Lake Tribune. There are no other service options available. PHOTOS BY GRAYSON WEST Asked around Park City What do you think about the word 'International' in Ecker Hill and Treasure Mountain middle Jared Purcefl "Never even thought about it." Stephan Camen Sean Stein BriggsLyman Abby Withexspoon "It's not very international. Same kids going to the same school." "It makes it sound stupid. How many international kids are in those schools anyway? "Seems a little important for what it really is." "Why would it be international? If it's in a city, it makes no sense." \ |