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Show WEEKLY REFLEX DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL. SEPTEMBER 4, 1960 Life In Prison LMnca'On Th reaction was to grab him by the throat, shove him against the wall and beat him silly. I told him never to threaten me again and never to come within one foot of me again. TWO OTHER guys I knew from AA came into my house and pulled me off him. Rick, the guy I nearly killed, collapsed on the floor. All the anger I had built up inside myself was gone. Rick stood, rubbing his throat. We never spoke to each By BILL PATE The weather was beginning to warm up and 1 felt pretty good. I had been accepted for college, and at age 31, I felt proud of that achievement alone. I TOOK some heavy duty courses, social stats, English lit, botany, and a theatre class. That class 1 enjoyed as all I did was watch films on a cassette recorder. The stats class was difficult since other after that, but there 1 hadnt had any math for quite sometime, 16 years. The wasn't any hate toward each other either. botany class got to be a pain in the neck and my English teacher and 1 didnt see eye to eye on the way 1 wrote my essay papers. 1 had other things besides college. The AA party. At the beginning of May, 1 had been elected secretary of the group which held many responsibilities. But for this party 1 had to THAT NIGHT I felt like screaming. My right hand hurt badly. I had forgotten how bad it hurt until I used it on Ricks throat. My eye hurt worse. The day of the party rolled around and everything was ready to go. Ralph, Marty and myself were the hosts with Ralph doing most of the work. Seven people received one year awards. make sure the cakes were ready, meat cooked and sliced, certificates made and signed, (these were presented for six months and one year attendance the group based on participation, outstanding service, and length of time without a drink) clearances made and signed. I HAD TO check on all the people who were coming in from the street who were going to speak, and 1 even had to make the programs. Between all this I was pressured by three inmates one night to let a man go to the party who never attended a meeting. When 1 said he couldnt go, two of them grabbed me, while the man in question beat on my face and stomach, leaving me nothing less than an inch from passing out. I remembered a voice saying, He will go to that party. I was a bloody mess, my nose was sore but not broken, my left eye had a cut so bad I nearly lost my vision because of it. Both my left eye and right hand were badly swollen. WHEN I fell to the ground, one of the three stepped on my hand and tried to break it. Once alone, I slowly stood on two trembling legs, went to my sink, and tried washing the blood from my face. When I looked into the mirror, I winced. I looked like a drunk on a three day holiday for a month! I COULDNT tell the man (officer) what happened, but I needed ice to keep the swelling down as much as possible. I managed to get past the cage without the man seeing me, and entered my cell with a full bucket of ice. One of the inmates saw my condition and asked if there was anything he could do. I told him nothing, to leave me alone. I was in pain, but I Was also angry. I wanted to kill three kids just then. Thats all they were, kids. THE ICE felt good, but my face didnt. Once the blood was wiped clean, I looked into the mirror again. I couldnt see out of my left eye. My face was swollen, but not nearly as bad if I hadnt of gone for ice. It was then that I went to the man with this story. Lt., I came back to my house and had a dizzy spell, fell over my chair, and the side of my face hit the edge of my footlocker and well here I am. HE DIDNT waste time with words. Immediately he took me to the prison infirmary where the technicians took one look and after swabbing my face clean, told me to keep my eye covered for three days, and if my vision wasn't restored then, I would be taken downtown to the hospital for a complete examination. That was it. I never told them about my hand. Once they were finished with me, the Lt. asked, Okay tough guy, nice try. Now how about you telling me what really happened. I HAD NO reason to explode in his face, but I had to make it look real. Hey! Whats the matter with you! When a guy tells the truth you still dont believe him. A lie youd believe, truth no way. And if someone did hit me, do you think Id drop a dime (information) on him anyway? No, I dont think you would. All I want is to keep this from occurring again. DO YOU know something I dont Lt.? He hesitated a moment. No. If Then answered, youre ready to go back to the block, lets move it. FIVE, COUNTING myself, received a six month certificate. There were three outside sponsors who spoke about chances for advancement once released. Once the meeting was over, all the inmates were able to get together with their families and friends. The rest of us who didnt have families stayed in a tight little group or spoke with outside AA members, or members from the other two prison AA groups, the women and from the farm. EVERY MONTH, the first Saturday, the women from their facility are able to attend our family night meetings. Out of eight women, four of them I have adopted as my sisters. THE PARTY ran until 9:15 that night before Mr. Rollins signaled it was time for everyone to leave. The women from the womens facility left first, then family and outside guests. Everyone was happy the way the party turned out. As for Frank, Don, Chip and myself, we werent satisfied. I had ordered one year pins to go along with the certificate and they never arrived. Frank was upset with the way Ralph handled the introductions, saying he acted ignorant with the guests. I MADE mention that if we wanted our Christmas party to be a success, we better start now and not wait until the last minute to get everything like this time. Even though I was in charge of this party, I was given the job three months too late. I refused to be pressured into getting things finished at the last minute again. INSIDE OF a week, the officers of the group voted to have me in charge again, and in less than three days I had my planning committee together. I went back to the dental lab for the first time in two weeks. My face was completely healed except for some slight puffiness under my eye. When she first saw me, this was when I saw some sign or outward appearance there was something there besides an inmate to employee relationship. AFTER I was fitted for another trial denture, she handed me back my book of You must of loved poems. her very much. Love like that comes along once in a while and when you lose the woman, you dont want to lose the memory. AFTER TALKING to you like I have, I cant understand why a person like you is in here. You are intelligent, creative, and you arent like most of the others I come into contact with, and you certainly are aggressive. Buttercup, youre not so bad yourself. But Im here cause I got caught. Thats the difference between me and the guy on the street. Otherwise, there is no difference. HER PHONE rang. When she hung up, she Said she had to go out front which is off limits to me, so I told her I would talk to her later. One Sunday night, an AA group came out to the prison for one of our meetings to see how we run our group. There were six or seven single women. THERE WAS one woman I noticed who seemed uneasy. I never spoke to her but I wish I had. Several guys asked me if they could get the information and I told them sure, w hy not. Three days later, Denny jumped all over me at the chow hall. those women who came out here Sunday night? They didnt come out here to get hit on by a bunch of convicts. They are AA people. They want to remain anonymous. Got that the serious are serious.1' Denny left angry. 1 had to defend what I said, for I was one of those w ho had written a letter. JoAnn had problems, big ones. I only hoped my letter to her would work. IF THE guys want to write them, there is no way I can stop them. If the girls dont write back, or if they do, is there really any harm in it? I think not. Nobodys feelings will get hurt. Maybe. It took a long time to get outside groups to come out here, and what if they dont come out again. Then what? PERSONALLY, if they out again, that tells aren't the AA you think they are. A A means you are responsible, right? If they want to help us they will come out again. Only dont come me something. They By GARY R. BLODGETT FARMINGTON Believe it or not, most Davis County taxpayers will be forking out less in property taxes this year than last even if the reduction is minimal. DAVIS COUNTY Commission has settled for a 1.7 mill decrease in the county levy and all but four of the 16 communities in the county have either retained last years levy or offered a slight reduction. Thus, for the most part, the 1980 tax bill will be slightly lower. The major exceptions to this will be in East Layton and Fruit Heights where these g communities have had to increase their mill levies. MEANWHILE, County Assessor Thayne Corbridge has gone on record as urging a strong no to a tax revision proposition that will appear on the November general election ballot. Mr. Corbridge labels the proposed Utah Constitution amendment as such a hodgepodge of good and bad ideas that it should not be passed at this time. HE EMPHASIZED that one section of the proposed amendment gives the policy instrument of the state to the legislature while under the present law, the Utah Constitution designates the basis for taxation. East Layton upped its mill levy by six mills to 15.0 mills and Fruit Heights increased its mill levy by 5.13 mills to 14.06 mills. Although these were hefty increases for the small central Davis County communities, the overall city mill levies are still about aver- age for the county. THE OTHER two cities to increase their mill levy this guy that nearly blinded me, tered my house and threatened me about snitching. My first en- SLOW DOWN and tell me whats bugging you. How come you said it was okay for the guys to write THE FOLLOWING day, however, I changed my mind about writing anymore and I told the guys in the group not to write as we didnt want to lose their trust. To w ait and get to know them better. Everyone agreed with me. Somehow I couldnt help but feel I put myself in a sling. I slacked off in my studies John and from college, and playing isnt the easiest thing to do, especially if you are at trying to play match-makthe same time with one of the girls from the womens facility and one of the inmates who ended up being my closest friend. catch-u- p year were Kaysville, an increase of 1.11 mills; and Layton, .11 mill. However, both were below the amount decreased by the county and the overall tax levy for 1980 will be slightly less than last year. Clinton with 17.7 mills and I BEFORE LONG, John wanted more than letters from her and I talked him into going down to the chapel and speak to her on her breaks. (Hew rote back and forth two weeks before he said a word to her). He was nervous. As the days dragged on. Chuck, Phil and myself would try to convince John to stick it out. Every now and then he never spoke Clearfield with 16.67 mills lead the way among the countys 16 after a long struggle with severe cutbacks in federal rehas finally decided venues to hold the line at 42.10 mills for this tax year. communities. Syracuse has the lowest mill levy, only 5.0 mills, while Bountiful will experience the biggest tax reduction this year, a drop of .22 mill to a total of 10.81 mills. DAVIS COUNTY District f of his original entitlement) on an extended benefit claim, the UI director said. (one-hal- ployment, extended benefit unemployment insurance claims are payable in Utah effective Aug. 24 to individuals whose regular unemployment benefits become exhausted, according to Duane C. Price, director of unemployment insurance services for Utah. PAYMENT OF additional unemployment benefits was triggered by the jobless rate for the nation as a whole and not by the rate currently being experienced here in Utah, Mr. Price said. Laws concerning payment of extended benefits provide for extending regular UI beof the nefits by one-ha- ls lf entitlement or 13 weeks, whichever is the lesser, Mr. Price explained. HOWEVER, A claimant eligible to receive extended benefits may not receive a total of more than 39 weeks from the combination of his regular and extended claim. Thus, for example, a claimant eligible for 20 weeks of regular Ul benefits at $94 a week who exhausts his benefits is eligible to receive 10 additional weeks at $94 a week Commander For 388 Fighter Wing Col. Jerauld HILL AFB R. Gentry has been named the commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. COL. GENTRY replaces Brig. Gen. W. Troy Tolbert who was assigned as the commander of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., and had been the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing commander since August 1979. Col. Gentry comes to the Utah based wing, which flies the 6 Fighting Falcons, after serving as the commander of the 4440th Tactical Fighter Training Group (Red Flag) Nellis AFB, Nev., since October 1978. THE COLONEL is a veteran of 23 years of service in the Air Force. He has more than 4,500 flying hours in 50 different fighter, trainer, bomber and research aircraft. In 1971 and 1972 he flew more than 200 combat missions in Southeast Asia. The 6 is not an entirely new fighter for him. While serving in the Tactical Fighter Requirements Section of Research and Development at Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C., he was responsible for the Lighweight Fighter Prototype Program which evolved into the 6 program. HE ALSO participated in the negotiations leading to the for coselection of the 6 production by the European F-1- Consortium of Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Norway. In addition, Col. Gentry has been an experimental test pilot flying test missions on the Fand six models of the Most important in this series was accomplishing F-- -l 1 1 F-- 4. the performance, stability and control and spin testsofthe the IN ADDITION, he participated as the chief Air Force pilot with the National Aeronautics and Space Administra- tion (NASA) in the joint USAF-NASlifting Body Research Program. The success of the program provided the basis for the current U.S. Space Shuttle effort. He has received both the Harmon International Avia- tion trophy and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots trophy as the outstanding test pilot of the year. Kin-chel- HIS MILITARY decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters. He holds a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. The colonel is married to the former Arden Truppe of Hammond, Ind. They have two sons, Jeff and Alan. lationship. THE LAST day of the month upset me. I had finished writing another letter for John, with when I had a run-iFrank. He was upset about something. He had troubles with his girlfriend. I said something to him which he took the wrong way. He flew off the handle and started toward me. 1 thought Unemployment Benefits Are Extended Because of the continuing high national rate of unem- would get cold feet, and wanted to break off the re- much to each other, but once this romance started, I was his personal secretary, helping him answer her letters and everything. Every night (and day! he would ask me to read her letters, then he would ask me what they would mean, if she w as serious about what she wrote. This would go on three to five hours at a time. IN ANOTHER example a claimant who exhausts his regular claim for which he was eligible to receive 30 weeks of benefits at $94 a week would be entitled to receive nine weeks of extended benefits at $94 a week (because of the maximum combination). In the instances where the individual has been awarded 36 weeks of benefits under his regular UI entitlement, which is the maximum allowable under Utah law, the period of extended benefits would be three weeks. THE UTAH Job Service will notify individuals not currently filing claims of their possible eligibility to receive extended benefits. It was noted, however, that individuals whose benefit period on their regular UI claim ends prior to Aug. 24, will not be eligible for extended benefits. Individuals in regular claims status who exhaust their benefit periods subsequent to Aug. 24, 1980 will receive exhaust notices advising them of their eligibility for extended benefits. INDIVIDUALS BACK WE went, and as I entered my house, the same JOHN STARTED the whole thing by asking me who she was and w hat she w as in prison for. if she w as married. All the typical questions from a man w ho carried all the signs of falling in love. I took the lead awayfiom him, and told Kathy by letter, a friend of mine would be interested in hav ing a running (letter) conversation with her. She had agreed. She was as interested in John as he was about her. receiving notice of eligibility for ex- tended benefits should contact their nearest Job Service office to initiate their claim for ex- tended benefits, Mr. Price said. Probing Reports Of Shots In Kaysville - KAYSVILLE Police are investigating a report that four students were shot at as they walked to school in Kaysville last Thursday morning. No one was hurt. KAYSVILLE Chief Lyle Larkin said the youths reported the shooting incident about 8 a.m., a few minutes after they said they heard a shot ring out and kicked up dust about ten feet in front of them. The incident which hap- pened near the Davis Area Vocational School was observed by others in the area who said they, too, heard at least one shot fired. THE YOUTHS, all white teenagers, ran to nearby Kaysville Jr. High School where they reported the incident to the principal. Chief Larkins said there does not appear to be any connection with this incident and the shooting to death of two black men who were jogging near Liberty Park in Salt Lake City a couple of weeks ago. n However, school district officials have approved a three-mi- ll passed voted leeway that if by the voters in he was joking at first. Frank has a violent temper, and can get dangerous. John and 1 w ere in the classification office where he jumped across the table after me. I W ENT back into the office. John looked at me and said. Dont worry Bill. Frank gets like that every now and then. Once he cools down, hell forget about what happened in here." JOHN GOT up and stopped him. lt was then, Frank and John got into an argument. Frank left, but he told John never to come near him again. That got me. Those two had been close friends for almost two years. I walked out of the office and called after Frank. He turned and said. You got a pass (break) that time. Dont push your luck. I knew if I got w ithin striking distance of him he would stick me. In all the time I had been here. Frank and I seemed to have gotten along pretty well. Now, looks as if our friendship minated right in the hall. it ter- November would be added to the 1981 gtax rolls. THIS LEEWAY is absolutely necessary, according to school officials w ho cite that the drastic cutback in federal and state funding has left the district in critical financial condition. What did I say John. 1 dont think hell forget that easy." IT ISNT your fault, worry about it." dont wanted to believe John, wasn't easy. was learning that nothing in prison comes easy to anyone. learned something else that night. I w as learning how to grow up in a mans world, and not in the world 1 created for me. I but it 1 1 I STILL had something else to learn. I didn't know it at the time, but it wouldn't be long before 1 did. Not long at all. With the decrease in Davis County's mill levy, the county tax assessment for 1980 w ill be 16.95 mills for the incorporated area and 20.4 mills for the unincorporated area. MOST WATER and sewer districts within the county will also remain about the same as last year. Federal Regulations Increase Costs For Davis Education By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON New gymnasiums at Clearfield and Bountiful high schools glisten in the sunlight and beckon hundreds of youngsters to participate in a variety of activities. AT A PRICE tag of more than $2 million a piece, some have termed the facilities a bit luxurious for Davis School District. Add to that a new physical education plant at North Davis Jr. High School, adding another million dollars plus. How does the district afford such extravagance, you ask, when it has been forced to cut back on some programs, including those in physical education? THE ANSWER lies not with the district itself but with the federal government that requires such facilities be built under a program called Title IX, mandating equal educa- tional opportunities be allowed both boys and girls. It was that law that got BYU in the news, for a while, as the feds wanted that private institution to bend its rules to such ends. Davis School District, being totally public, is subject to such regulations. THE NEW gyms at Bountiful and Clearfield were necessary to meet those regulations because theres no way one gym can handle that load of increased girls sports, ex- plains Jim Hill, district physical education director. What Title IX has done is increase the sports we offer (to girls) including volleyball, basketball, track and field, swimming, gymnastics, cross country, golf and tennis. TO PROVIDE such fare somethiing had to give, and at those two schools it meant virtually doubling the existing facilities. The gyms there were older and could not be easily modified to meet those increased needs, Mr. Hill says. The same physical education program is offered at the other four high schools, for instance, but modifications have been possible, there, such as utilizing a bleacher area or some other areas to meet the increased load. THOSE facilities are being used from 6 a.m. until school (and then for physical education classes) and then after it lets out until 6 or 7 p.m., Mr. Hill says, and then theyre geared for community schools and community recreation programs. Title IX has jacked up the price tag, because no federal assistance is provided to meet program needs. But it has brought some definite pluses, the physical education director says. WHAT THE additions of new gyms or additional space did, it has balanced the use of facilities and opened it to where girls feel their programs are just as vital (as the boys). A minimal girls program has started growing, Mr. Hill adds, emphasizing the district always provided a girls program but was faced with facilities that were bulging at the seams. BOUNTIFUL and Clearfield highs couldnt meet that extra t, strain but at Layton, Woods Cross and Davis we are getting by at present, he says, largely due to auxiliary facilities. The increase in girls' sports has been amazing in just the past several years, Mr. Hill says, citing athe success of various sports since their inception, all well within the past decade. View-mon- SINCE THE girls sports were put in operation and their sanction by the Utah High School Association Davis Schools have won four basketball championships (in five years), we have done extremely well in track and field. Since 1974 in state competition we have won five championships and weve won gymnastics with one championship in 1973, he adds, noting that attendance at girls' sports and their acceptance by the community are steadily growing. BEYOND construction costs, to provide equipment, offi- supplies, transportation, cials and uniforms chalks up about $240,000 extra a year over previous costs, he says. That helps put a strain on the maintenance and operation budget, that area which is hurting, right now and has caused the Board of Education to seek an additional three mill tax levy. AND WITH projected continued growth in the county an increase in facilities is probably imminent, with Layton High mentioned in particular. But Mr. Hill tends to return to benefits of such programs that perhaps outwiegh the costs. Many young ladies want to participate in extracurricular athletic activities and as a school district we should provide the programs and facilities as we have for the young men. PHYSICAL WELL being is important to life and helps people laterin performing their jobs more satisfactorily, for instance, he says. Speaking of reaction to the expanded program from the public Mr. Hill says, Weve had nothing but positive feedback from students, coaches and parents. The programs provided are excellent but we must keep pace with the needs of the youngsters. The young ladies have the same needs and desires as the young men. OTHER SCHOOL districts have had to make major modifications in their programs and facilities, as well, he says, in- cluding Salt Lake District where both East and West high schools received additions and new physical education-athleti- c facilities were added to nearly all existing high schools in Granite District. Federal officials periodically check the district to see if proper opportunities are being provided and Mr. Hill says we have been in good shape that way. FEDERAL mandates dont stop with athletics, however, but also include providing bilingual education, an area that heavily impacts Davis District with students speaking many different native languages. In addition, programs for the handicapped, for instance, add to the cost of providing an education for all students. Voters will have a chance to determine if they want to aid the district in meeting these needs in the special leeway election Oct. 2. Passage will mean a three mill increase or about $20 tacked on your bill, about half the price of a pair of shoes. Suspects Elude Police FARMINGTON Two male suspects abandoned their stolen vehicle only a block from the Davis County Sheriff s Office here after eluding d police during a chase north on Interstate high-spee- Highway 15. The two occu- pants, possibly juveniles, escaped. LT. ROBERT Peters of the Davis County Sheriffs Department said the car was reported stolen from Salt Lake City and was spotted northbound on Officers from the Utah Highway Patrol, Bountiful, Centerville and Davis County pursued the fleeing auto but lost it after it left the highway during the darkness. After finding the abandoned auto in the Farmington Post Office parking lot, only a block from the sheriff s office, police searched Farmington and the surrounding area for several hours looking for the two suspects who had fled from the scene. |