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Show 1 2 BOX ELDER NEWS, Brigham City, Sunday, July 24, 1977 Utah Editorially Speaking More equity needed in assessing property Utahs uniform property valuation this year it will be even lower. As a taxpayer you cant be expected to get too excited. Your tax bill isnt moving up with inflation except to the extent that the mill levy is changed. Citizens should know whats happening in this area. In 1971 property in four Utah counties was revaluated by the state. Why? So the value for taxing purposes would more nearly reflect the propertys true market worth. State law says property should be assessed at 20 percent of its actual STILL THERE IS a question of equity involved, specifically with reference to the states uniform school levy. Heres how that works: Each school district is required to levy 28 mills property, tax. The amount of money which this levy raises is then supplemented from the state school fund to bring it up to a guaranteed level. This means that as a taxpayer in Box Elder county last year you paid more in taxes on property of equal value than did taxpayers in Sanpete county where the average assessment was just 6.31 percent. And that means that Sanpeter was subsidized to a greater proportionate extent than was Box Elder County School district. Sanpete is among the last group of counties to be revaluated and is scheduled to join the ranks effective Jan. 1, 1978. It will then be on the high side while inflation pushes others further program isnt working as intended, thanks to inflation and lag time that has developed. If youre ready to tune out now, move to some other reading because the subject seems complex, dont. market value. And so in January 1972, property in Summit county, for example, was assessed at the 20 percent level. more than five What has happened years ago. since? Inflation has sent property values spiraling upward. Homes and business and other properties are worth considerably more than then. BUT THAT WAS At the same time, however, property is still being assessed at the value placed on it by the 1971 revalution. The effect is that, on an average, property in Summit county last year was assessed for taxing purposes at just 9.23 percent of its actual market value. In the state-wid- e program to revaluate all counties within five years and then to start over again Box Elder county went on board effective Jan. 1, 1974. Actual market values of property was established and the assessment rate was a true 20 percent. However, by this past year the actual assessment was just 15.52 percent of the market value. And Supt. Howard Kelly deserves a pat what to do? County Assessor Clifton G. M. Kerr said new legislation is aimed at getting all counties at the starting line at the same time and keeping them together. And it appears that to accomplish this, property values on which assessments are based will be Raised on a percentage basis annually to keep pace with inflation. Its something that all property owners can expect. Certainly where state-wid- e school funding is concernwill it a more fair approach. be ed, back for this achievement. Sorry to say the high marks cant be given to the adjacent county grounds this summer. Normally a show place, the floral beds in front of the courthouse are either bare or loosely planted with petunias that were put in too late. We dont know what can be done about it now with summer at its We mentioned it to county officials a couple of weeks ago. The expressed concern and disappointment. But no new plantings have been added. mid-poin- t. Hopefully there wont be a repeat acteristics a result of stress d- isease. While companies which make shavers may take delight and men whose thatch is thinning may find cc2irmaY...iBiJ doi drove to a point south of town. It overlooked the canyon stream bed where a diversion structure would turn runoff water into a new concrete-lined canal leading to the proposed reservoir in Mantua. As they talked I was perplexed by one aspect of the proposed project. Finally I could stand it no longer. I understand the value of this work and how much it will mean to Brigham City. But tell me, how are you gonna get water from down there up to where the reservoir will be? this puzzled penman asked. We nice tribute was paid on this page last week to former Brigham City mayor Ruel Eskelsen for his foresight and administrative ability which led to this communitys favorable water situation. Many of us harbored a keen appreciation for his efforts long before this drouth year. But now, with water running short in much of the Beehive state, tlje fruits of Ruels labor and those1 who served with him are all the more apparent. What the project involved was construction of Brigham City reservoir in Mantua to store runoff and excess spring flow, this to be exchanged with irrigators for spring A water. There were other facets, as well, as outlined in the tribute written by former Brigham City councilman Wayne A. Jensen. It was really the fulfillment of a e dream of the former mayor who realized the future value of increasing the communitys water supply. Hes really a peach of a guy. But hes also a bold and determined individual. Frankly, as a budding young journalist at the beginning of the 1960 decade, this scribe felt intimidated by Hizzoners personality. But as we worked together, developing a series of articles supporting long-tim- a glance that conveyed an uncertainty about my mental stability, the mayor announced that water would flow through the canal into the resevoir because it was down hill. With I looked again. . . down to the diversion point well below us and then up to the future reservoir site. I hoped silently at that moment that Ruels perspective dealing with the rest of the project was more realistic than his new pronouncement that up was down. Inwardly, I also realized that if Hizzoner said it would work. . .it would work. Sure enough when the project was completed, water flowed through the canal to the reservoir. . .uphill. I figured it didnt dare not to. And so today we have a phenomenon which defies the law of gravity. If you dont believe me, drive to south Mantua sometime and take a look. But far more importantly, in this critical drouth year we are blessed with an ample water supply, thanks in no small measure to the vision of Ruel Eskelsen. A man for his time. side or wear it cut overly short lately? Or is the real and basic reason the fact that I am an outsider and a member of the minority? Who Knows? Since Mayor Felt has recently gone on record as regards a citizens endowed right to criticize city hall, my kind of outspoken, concerned and informed criticism should well rate as a plus factor in being considered for membership on one of these boards. It is truly tragic but nonetheless a demonstrable fact that an outsider like me could never be elected in Utah-o- n any ticket- - running for Congress, for example, or for any other highpublic office. Most people will agree with me on that fact of life. Of all the boards, commissions, and committees the city planning (zoning) commission is by far the most important. For very obvious reasons (possible conflict of interest) the mayor should try to avoid placing persons in the real estate business or persons with large tracts of land suitable for subdividing on this most powerful planning commission, as may have been the case at times heretofore. If, as a result of this letter, the mayor should feel inclined to consider putting me on the shade tree committee, or even on the planning (zoning) commission, I would decline politely and consider such an overture as coming along too late. I do have some pride. Strike that: I have a lot of pride! sincerely yours, Adolph Kaltwasser, Brigham City Another porno opinion Editor: I have received permission by Donald C. Hughes, Jr., to have this letter printed in the Box Elder Journal. This letter explains why I feel Brigham City needs an ordinance. Please print it. Thank you, Claudia M. Perry, Working for an ordinance for Brigham. I am writing pursuant to your request for my opinion as to the necessity of a municipality adopting the kind of ordinance that Ogden city has adopted in addition to the state statute. The state statute is good but a greater handle is needed to bring a quick conclusion to a store owners attempt to sell pornography. Iconography is highly profitable. A store can stay in business selling pornography even if the county attorney is prosecuting. There are numerous techniques for delaying the economic drain of fines. A corporation can often avoid the payment of fines for up to a year or more if it properly structures its appeals. The sad thing is that when the store is ultimately forced to pay the fines, the corporation simply can cease to have assets and the owners, usually a network of other corporations, form a new outlet and the sale of pornography goes on. Additional ordinances that revoke a business license to a store convicted of pornography add a dimension of speed to stopping the sale of pornography that is not available through the state statute alone. I am of the opinion that it is good and necessary for those communities that are serious in their desire to curb the sale of pornography that they recognize the limitations of the state statute and adopt complimentary ordinances that will effectively halt the traffic in pornography. of this situation next spring and summer. We can think of nothing that returns quite so much pleasure and presents a more pleasing image than flowers on public grounds. what women seeking Dr. Ivor Mills, Addenbrooks hospital, Cambridge, is quoted as saying distaff patients in increasing number are developing facial and chest hair, baldness and a higher sex drive. He calls the developing char- Todd. on the This kind of equality not We read in a story out of London that young career women there are gaining true equality with their male counterparts. that stands out mind in about those strongest my to a was Mantua with Ruel days trip and former city engineer Francis So with new floral touch building in some time are the flowers planted several weeks ago by the parks department. The floral improvement was an added touch to an extensive landscape improvement project in which new shrubs and trees were planted. The trees will require a couple of years to really assert themselves, the same with the shrubs (although even now they are a distinct improvement to the grounds). What really grabs the attention of passersby are the flowers. Theyve come into blossom, are filling in the bare places, and in general give the city hall a festive touch its never had before. We really appreciate it. Parks tion for him. The one experience down. City grounds pleasing One of the nicest things to happen around the Brigham City municipal the water project and associated bond issue, I came to know him better. And to have a strong affec- comfort in added company, we wonder how many women really want this kind of equality. According to Dr. Mills it all has to do with disturbing the brains control of hormones. He said when male hormone production increases in females, it can result in aggression, ruthlessness, infertility and insomnia. We suspect most ladies, while seeking equal pay for equal work, would rather not have a bonus of male hormones. While we support the equal pay concept, its also our desire to see feminine beauty be preserved. Our druthers is that a woman have hair on her head and not on her face. Its one thing to have a female surgeon take out your appendix and quite another to compete against one in a beard growing contest. BOX NEWS ELDER established in weekly newspaper published every Sunday by the 55 Elder South First West, Brigham City, Utah, 84302 Class postage paid at the Second post office, 14 South First West, Brigham City, Utah, 84302. A 1694, Box Charles "Tuff" Claybaugh Publisher General Manager' Bruce T. Keyes, Managing Editor Mike Perry, Sports Editor Sarah Yates, Society Editor K. Wayne Claybaugh, Advertising Manager Shirley Richardson, Classifieds Betty Claybaugh, Circulation Arland Tingey, Newspaper Supr. Van Claybaugh, Photo-Pres- s Supr. H. t. Anderson, Commercial Printing Supr. rate advance Subscription able the In Box Yours, Donald C. Hughes Jr., attorney, 2506 Madison Avenue, Ogden, Utah 84401 letters to the Editor... Tends to believe Coleman The editor invites and welcomes letters for publication in these columns. However, contri- butions must be signed and also bear the writers adress and telephone number. It is suggested that letters not exceed 250 words in length. $10 00 per year payin connection with Journal (published Thursdays) in Box Eider County. Subscription rate $14.00 per year payable in advance in connection with the Box Elder Journal (published Thursdays) outside Box Euler County. Elder Never asked to serve Editor: NATIONAL NEWSPAPER R NNA SUSTAINING MEMBER 1972 Editors Quote Book Our experience is composed rather of illusions lost than dom acquired. wis- Joesph Roux As you know, the Brigham City government (mayor-counci- l) is assisited in its varied tasks of administering the citys affairs by some half dozen or more boards, commissions, and committees. Allow me to refer to them hereinbelow simply as boards. Citizens chosen by the mayor to serve on such boards serve during a certain term, and vacancies are filled by the mayor as they occur. Although I retired in 1964 and have always had lots of free time on my hands, oddly enough no mayor since then ever asked me to serve on any of these boards, not even on the shade tree committee. The members of the said boards get no pay but do enjoy power and prestige. Let us examine now some of the reasons could be that I am not why I was never asked to serve. It n considered qualified or that I am not enough of a to I admit a Here of conformist. being a bit to fit into the niche controversial at times but not in a militant way; I am also very outspoken, intellectually curious, reasonably intelligent and informed. Could it be that I part my hair on the wrong yes-perso- Editor: Relative to the Box Elder county R. W. Coleman trailer court controversy, I an taking this means to express some personal views on the matter. Being well aware that there is always more than one side (or version) of every situation, I admit that other than what I have read in the newspapers, I have only heard Mr. Colemans side. Based on what I do know, it appears to me someone or several parties do not want Mr. Coleman to be successful in this particular business venture. If so, they must have considerable clout with the Box Elder County commission. As Mr. Cotemans neighbor for many years, I feel I am well qualified as h character witness. I find him to be a true Christian neighbor who lives the golden rule, doing unto others as he would be done by. He appears to me to be the type who would go out of his way to avoid trouble. Speaking of trouble, as neighbors we have had none - our relationship had been nothing but good. I find his word to be as good as his bond. For this reason I find it difficult not to believe his contention that he did consult with a member of the county commission before he purchased the land for the trailer court in South Willard and received somewhat .of a gentlemans agreement that there would be no problem with the county in locating a trailer court there. Perhaps some empathy on the part of county officials, some of whom are business men themselves, is in order. They might be less inclined to be so hidebound about the rules if it was their money (reportedly thousands of dollars) that was invested in such a venture. S. R. Reeder Brigham City |