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Show BEN LOMOND BEACON. Dec. 28. 1978, Page 6 Lomei? speaEm I write to point out a serious inequity in the local option sales tax and its method of distribution, and to solicit your support in eliminating this inequity. Our city faces a financial crisis because Ogden City is planning on going to a point of collection method of distribution of the sales tax dollars unless legislative action is taken to change the state law. They feel that under the present law our local method of distribution by population is not legal. They want to comply with the law or have the law changed so that we can legally distribute the tax on a population basis. Mayor Dirkes has expressed his support for a state wide sales tax distribution by population but is not in favor of that method on a county basis. I agree with his logic for Weber county and cities would receive over $600,000 that now goes to other This is municipalities. because the state is on a of collection point , distribution method. Plain city is in a unique situation in that over 50 per cent of our budget comes from the sales tax. If the cities of W'eber County go to the point of collection method we will loose 93 per cent of our sales tax revenues and 50 per cent of our budget. I cannot at this time see how we will be able to make a 50 per cent budget cut and still stay solvent. We are not the only small city that suffers under point of collection distribution. The state average percapita for the local option sales tax is $39.11. We will get only $2.66 per person instead of the $39.11. What some of the other small cities get is as follows: Circleville $.54, Oak City $1.52, Deweyville Clinton $1.79, $1.63, Clarkston $3.10, Wales $2 04, Anabella $2.17, Francis $4.47, Stockton $5.03, Goshen $4 68, Toquerville $2.07, and Wayne County $10.62. Even worse the following cities receive nothing under the of collection point distribution method: Sun-nysid- e, East Carbon, Wellington, Antimony, Enoch, Woodruff, Koosharem, and Vernon. The present federal grant system is written to favor the larger cities and so little federal money is available to help us out of our plight. Even if it were available we could not afford the cost to prepare the grant. The larger cities are the major benefactors on the point of collection sales tax and also the recipients of the federal grant money. Instead of the $39.11 per person these cities received the following: Alta $208.74 South Salt Lake $170.35, Murray $102.13, Salt Lake City $70.53, and Park City $72.32. This is quite a different story from Circleville who only received $.54. Of the total cities and counties of the state 40 gain under the point of collection distribution method while over 200 lose. If the tax monies were distributed by population the people would have the monies returned to their city where they need the services. The present of collection point distribution has serious legal questions in that if a city chose to not levy the tax its citizens would be taxed against their will and the decree of their legal representatives. This is one step beyond taxation without representation one of the basic abuses that led to the founding of the constitution. Those cities that receive little or nothing from the tax would have a duty to their citizens to repeal the tax and save their citizens the $39.11 that they pay to other municipalities. Once the tax was repealed in one city and the other cities continued to collect the tax then in my judgment a strong case could be made for taxation without representation and the case would stand a good chance of overturning the state law on distribution by point of collection. W'e need a constitutional change so that the tax can be distributed by population and the present loopholes in the existing law eliminated. To this end I solicit your support to give back to the people the monies that are collected under the local option sales tax. Scores of cities that have no way to provide the basic services that a city should for its citizens would be able to keep their own money and serve there own people instead of building the neighboring cities services. The cities and counties in the state that would gain on a population distribution are as follows: Sandy, South Jordan, Riverton, and West Jordon, and the county itself in Salt Lake County would all gain. All cities except Orem would gain in Utah County and collectively they all would gain more than $1,400,000. All of the cities in Box Elder County would gain for a county increase of over $600,000. All of the cities in Davis county as a whole would gain over $1,500,000. All of the cities in Weber county would gain undor the population distribution method except for Ogden, Riverdale, and Harrisville. Weber county and cities will gain over collectively $600,000 by a population distribution method. Cache county cities will all increase except Logan. The Cache county and cities as a whole will gain approximately $500,000. Washington county cities will all gain except St. George and Springdale and the cities and county will gain as a whole over fMOFFLERH $40,000. These figures are all in detail outlined in the Pleasant View letter that was recently sent to you. If you have not received it or would like to have another copy please advise and we will forward one. Please study the figures in the Pleasant View letter for the impact that a distribution on population basis will have on your constituants. I am astounded that this kind of The first in a series of major changes in the Food Stamp program will take effect Jan. 1, when purchase requirements for stamps are eliminated, a Utah Department of Social Services official said. According to Cindy Haag, Coordinator, Eligibility of Assistance Office Administration, Payments the Federal Government is implementing a series of at aimed changes the Food streamlining Stamp Program. In the past, households using Food Stamps have usually been required to pay some of their own money to receive the stamps. For example, a household would pay $70 and receive $100 worth of Food Stamps. In other words, they receive $30 worth of bonus stamps. Under the revised program, households will not have to pay any money for stamps. If they are eligible for Food Stamps, they will receive an authorization to purchase card for only the bonus Food Haag explained. Stamps, She emphasized that the program change should help eliminate some of the problems that have plagued Because the program. clients will not have to turn over any money before receiving stamps, there should be less chance of mix up or misallocation of the income households in the program. An average Food Stamp household receives approximately $118 monthly in Food Stamps, including $62 in bonus stamps. Under the revised program, households would receive authorization to receive ONLY the $63 in bonus stamps. Haag said it is anticipated that more public assistance and low income households will participate in the program because the purchase requirement has been eliminated. Low income families, not currently involved in the program, should apply now to be eligible for the Food Stamps when the changes take State inspection Shock absorbers Trailer hitches built & installed. SilrntK'fiijM MUFFLERS S349 South 1900 Wost in Roy Ogdn, Utah 773-640- 0 kjrz Did you know. prepared for presentation in this legislative session to amend the constitution to provide for the local option sales tax to be distrbuted on a population basis. W'e need your support to return the tax money to the people that paid it. Respectfully Samuel S. Lower Plain City Food stamp changes 5.000 low cars. inequity could exist in for as long as it has. Legislation is now being din-stat- e stamps. At present there are approximately 7.300 public assistance households and Mufflers for most foreign $ domestic outfit How many individuals will finally be involved in the new program cannot be determined, she em- phasized. Income levels, allotments and utility allowances have also been adjusted upward and will be effective in January. The new income limits allow a two person household to have an adjusted income of up to $367 a month and a four person household to have an adjusted income of $640 monthly. Allowances are made for expenses such as housing, utilities, schooling, child care and work expenses. The amount of Food Stamps a person is eligible to receive has also been increased. The maximum allotment of stamps for a two person household will rise from $100 to $106 a month $182 to $192 for a and from four person household. In addition, utility allowances will rise to compensate for increased winter heating costs. Haag noted that income limits and allotments are raised on a basis to compensate for increased living expenses. two-yea- Stevens Manager to s O semi-annu- Another change that takes effect in January impacts grocery stores. In the past, stores were required to give credit vouchers for change under $1. New regulations require that they give Food Stamp users cash for amounts less than $1. she said. Haag said other changes will take place in March which will provide for Food Stamp quicker processing, allotment revisions and updates. in Changes eligibility requirements will also take effect then. Because the changes are so extensive and more individuals may be eligible or want to become involved in the Food Stamp program, a Food Stamp Hotline has been installed. Individuals with questions about eligibility or changes in the program should call toll free in the Salt or Lake area. 467-422- 1 Have a Happy New Year . . one of many students involved in Stevens Henager College r course study. The course prepares men and women to perform administrative and clinical duties in doctors' offices. LINDA SULLIVAN is Stevens Henager College will be offering a new Associate Degree Program training Medical Assistants beginning Winter Quarter. Jan. 8. The Medical Assistant Program is a course of study which prepares men and women to perform administrative and two-ye- clinical duties in the Doctors office, Medical Centers and is Education Clinics. received in three specific aspects of health care: A. Specialized administrative processing of medical data such as patient records and insurance forms. B. Ou- QUALITY EYEWARE & HEARING AIDS HAS AN ADDITIONAL NEW LOCATION IN DAVIS COUNTY We fill optical prescriptions wntten by your eye doctor. We have large selection of eyewear frames. We have prescriptions and non prescription sunglasses. We repair broken frames and replace broken lenses. We have oomplete hearing aid services, including repairs, sales and service brands We feature a 30 day free tral, and also have rental axis available We have an emergency service on hearing aid repairs If of 0 major you have a visual or hearing problem call Knighton Optical for doctors referral. OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. SATURDAY 9 A.M. Dior PLAYDOY V 1 OGDEN 950 25th St. Suite N-- 3938439 TIL NOON OGDEN 425 E 5350 So. LAYTON 2179N. 170OW. West of Davis No. Hospital St. Benedict Professional Bklg 8251624 3945501 JOPTYL and skills medical terminology and procedures. The Medical Assisting Program is being into our incorporated secretarial curriculum because of the of development rapid medical technology and the great demand for trained personnel in the health care field w ho can handle both the office and the clinical procedures," said President preparation and assisting Robinson. The new program has been included under the colleges current grant of acthe creditation by Association of Independent Colleges and Schools (AICS). With this accreditation, students enrolling in the According to Fahy S. Robinson, President of will be eligible to apply for Federal grants and loans. on the Commenting laboratory tpatient carrying our techniques routine clinical procedures such as, blood pressure measurement, the physician procedures. patient in technical Stevens Henager College, new The program necessitates the addition of a medical laboratory at Stevens Henager College complete with the latest laboratory equipment cluding in- an examination table, microscopes, electro- cardiograph equipment, urine and blood analysis and blood pressure equipment." Registered (iiiiiiuiJML ar lab technicians at Stevens Henager will teach courses for the program. Classes include laboratory work, nurses and Medical Assistant Course program. President provide excellent Robinson said that, Stevens Henager College can now educational options for students who have an endowment of kindness compassion. and Medical assisting offers far more than a weekly paycheck and more than a career. He or is she an efficient humanitarian who legthens and strengthens the healing of arm of the physician-wh- en a nervous to the confidences of a troubled teenager-- or soothing a frightened child. It is the Medical Assistants job to assist the Doctor in calming man or woman-listeni- managing ng his office ef- ficiently. Under his supervision, he or she can relieve the physician of many ad- ministrative and clinical duties so that he has more time to concentrate on diagnosis and treatment. The dedicated medical assistant enjoys a personal satisfaction that cannot be measured in material wealth. A limited number of enrollees will be accepted each quarter, to assure the instruction personalized become has which traditional-wi- th only twelve students being scheduled in each lab class, they will learn by doing. Screening of applicants for the Medical Assisting Program will 18 - from am. pm. weekdays. Interested persons may begin Dec. to 5 request information from the College Admissions Office in Ogden at 2644 Washington Boulevard or telephone (801 ) 394-779- |