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Show r iiy irn 1 rjrqp'Pai'W 1 n i m'Wm rw1 V WEEKLY REFLEX DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL, AUGUST 9, 1979 Davis Mayors Vote To Study Plans Laid To Eradicate Measles In Davis County Wants Downtown Btfl. Active Shopping Area Possible Break With WFRC Continued From Front we could use them. We need to discuss real-lif- e problems and 5. WITH a AGREEING smaller makes more understandable philosophy was Comm. Morris F. Swapp. 5 is an exercise in futility for COG and is worse there down and study it. But Mr. Eberhard blasted the WFRC when he said, You as local government units are going to WFRC and asking for help when its WFRC that should go to you. That's what bothers me more than anything. Everybodys business becomes nobodys business. THE MAYORS agreed the study group should include the commissioners, three or four mayors and Planning Director Moore. A-9- (in WFRC) where were voting on millions of dollars. There would be a use to make it smaller so we would know something about it." But there would be funding and other problems during a transition, it was noted. Board To Study Forming Drug, Alcohol Division AND WHILE the mayors werent certain as to what direction should be taken, the county commissioners ap peared united in favoring a split, although Comm. Flint said, We havent made a complete study. In his analysis Comm. Swapp said, "Lately us commissioners have felt the Wasatch Front was a Salt Lake organization. They even wanted to City-Coun- ty move it to Salt Lake City. I dont think any of you can show where (WFRC) has given much help to Davis e County in the last years. Every time they talk about funds going to Salt Lake City and County. They have a dominion of their own and you can hardly get to them. two-thre- IN SPEAKING of the split he; continued, It may not solve all, but some of the problems. It will get us in a smaller bundle and we will have a handle on it. Then we can talk about ours, not theirs. In his response Comm. nest Eberhard said, There is a movement toward more localized government. Council popularity is on the wane. I believe the more localized, the better it (government) is. Weve got very capable people here. Er- HE AGREED with a proposal by Woods Cross Mayor Lawrence Urry to further study the options before making a decision. The mayor noted that funding had already been allocated for the fiscal year through June 30, 1980, meaning little could be gained by making an immediate split. "Im not ramroding this, the commissioner said. I dont think we should make a decision here but we should settle By TOM BUSSELBERG - FARMINGTON Davis apparently is losing some funding for its drug and County alcohol rehabilitation program because it is associated with the Davis County Family and Com- munity Mental Health Center rather than operated separately. Unless county officials can pursuade legislators to change that, the county could end up a loser. THAT OPINION was expressed by mental health officials during the regular monthly meeting of the countys Board of Mental Health last week. County Mental Health Director Russell Williams said the county could stand to lose $300,000 in alcohol and drug funding if the program is continued under the Mental Health Center. Some $350,000 would be provided for the drug and alcohol program from the State Division of Drugs and Alcohol if it were operated independently versus $50,000 now, he told the board. mental health center is the only facility in the state overseeing drug and alcohol programs, he said, adding that separate boards for drug and alcohol and mental health were set up at one time in the county. "No other Utah center operates as the head of all Dr. Williams programs, continued. Were the only one. We were a clear slate and started (in 1976) with the expertise gained from the DAVIS COUNTYS other (already-started- ) centers. We had commenda tion from HEW (federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare). Other center directors were very willing to share six years of experience. "IT WAS the- - FARMINGTON An intensive measles eradication program has been initiated by the Davis County Health Department. THAT WORD was given to the Board of Health during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday by Disease Control Educator Alan Parker, who said July and August are the best months to begin such a program before school begins and youngsters are put into closer contact. Measles often strikes hard-- ' est in the fall and begins cycling process through the schools, especially with secondary school students, Mr. Parker said, adding that it becomes difficult to trace. VjfEHAVE an intensive effort to see if we can search them out and break the train through physical reporting. ve One person saved now might-sahundreds later, he explained, noting if doctors would report any cases the health department could begin an intensive investiga- (county) commission decision to cut overhead administrative (keep the two programs together) and it was not an it was resisteasy merger ed, Dr. Williams explained. agree its served better together and in my opinion Davis County has shown by unifying a reduced overhead. Over the last three years we demonstrated we could do that. Its a process where the staff and board are involved in a better delivery system. Weve gotten excellent ratings every year but others (agencies) dont join together mainly due to dollars. I would say mental health directors would support (combined) but the state is forcing us to give up the program to save funding. tion. At present were increas- ing public awareness and were interested in all immunizations. We would invite the medical community to report (any cases) so we can chop the head off at t'rje lowest Mr. Parker said. Measles are being eliminated (nationally) about 50 percent a year. There were 29,000 cases reported last year and 10,000 this year. Theyve said that now that its been done for smallpox (eradication) we can do it for measles. time, We would like to have our main part of downtown to be the active shopping area, instead of splitting the shopping district. Johns said other developed countries dont place the same emphasis on immunization with the last measles case imported from abroad coming from the child of an Australian doctor. We have about 2,500 Vietnamese who have come into the stdte and they werent checked when they came into the but he added that country measures are being IF DRUG and alcohol programs were separated, a half-tim- e person would be needed to fill out forms, etc., Dr. Williams said. ' It gripes me because its not necessary for the delivery of services. But we wont have any choice (if the legislature doesnt respond), adding 000 additional that $35, money would be needed for e an overall position. But County Comm. Ernest Eberhard, who sits on the Mental Health Board said, Theres light at the end of the tunnel because elected officials are entering the pic000-$4- full-tim- ture. We are (presently) shortchanged and cant give out $300,000 in services. We understand that this money was allocated to our city for blighted areas and to sidered mercifully putting the city officials are considering to spend the money, the initial funding to a new shopping complex west of Main Street between 600 and tb Approves Agency- Alignment and preserve and remodel the historical LDS Tabernacle, located in the downtown district. This building has contributed a unique and beautiful addition to our city. Health has okayed alignment by the State Division of Mental Health with the proposed State Health Department. The State Statute gives city officials CENTERVILLE -- 1 told the boss that I wouldn't take a stand on the controversial rcurb, gutter and sidewalk project that f plagues this community. And Im not. : ; THERE . ARE too many pros and cons involved in the establishing and cons- tructing a special improvement district such as is proposed in Centerville. I I say proposed in Centerville because : at this writing, the project is still only in ; the proposal stage. Bonding is yet to be approved, but that is expected momen-taril-- : y. I TOOK A drive around Centerville, in the areas proposed for improvements, and there is no question but what the city : is in dire need of curbs, gutters and even ; sidewalks. I I also agree that a $600,000 storm drainage program that was approved by the city a couple of months ago was es-- : sential, but will be almost useless unless the curb and gutter improvement district which ties directly into the storm drain is approved. system I FROM READING this, it must appear that I have already taken a stand favoring the improvement district. But I havent given the other side of this controversial situation. : Like I say, 1 do favor a need for the district. But not the way it was es- tablished. Not the way it was presented to the public. YES, I KNOW that what the city did was legal. In fact, city officials followed the state statute in establishing the district. But that still doesnt satisfy me that the ' state statute is proper. the authority to instigate special improvement districts. The mayor and IN APPROVING the IN COMMENTING on the resolution during its regular Richard proposal, monthly meeting last week, Youngblood, Mental Health the Davis board joined all but Board member said, The one other mental health agency in the state in Department of Healthto will the have a direct channel o ..approving such a move. And, legislature where before we Mental Health Director Rusdidnt have that. It (funding) sell Williams said that lone went through Division of agency would probably act Social Services. when its director returned And Dr. Williams added, from vacation. also "That (proposal) The would proposal guarantees that we have the separate the Division of Men- services of someone who is knowledgeable in health. Now they (Division of Social Services) say they dont underDR. WILLIAMS said the stand (health issues). only reason hes heard for BUT THE director added opposing combined mental health and drug and alcohol that the Social Services was that drug and alcohol Division is "trying to hold onto it (health). tb . would lose its identity. Just recently, the people of Bountiful rallied to improve IF THE money appropriated could be concentrated to aid our downtown area, we could have one of the most outstanding and beautiful cities in Utah. The downtown area is the obvious candidate for the use of these urban renewal funds. Instead the city officials are leaning toward the appropriation of this money to underwrite future develop- ment. town beautification? This area has long been established. Should our city of- ficials be more vitally interested in our downtown district? Shouldnt the downtown area merit more concern now, instead of in the future? Bountiful is too small to support, successively, so many split shopping areas. Our central downtown Main Street does not have the heavy traffic that is flowing city council were elected to be the "watchdogs of the community, to do what is best for the majority of the residents. AND ITS THE last four words of the previous sentence majority of the that has me a little conresidents cerned. A special improvement district is approved (tentatively) by the majority vote of the city council. Shall we have a district, or not? IF THE MAJORITY of the vote is "yeah" then city officials go to work to establish and considerable expense the boundaries of the proposed district and the improvements to be included. At this point, I strongly disagree with the State Statute. ITS AT THIS stage of the game that the city calls for a prbtest" meeting. That's exactly what its called, and thats exactly what it is a protest meeting. This means that city officials feel that the district is necessary and proper. I agree to this. it. BUT THE REASON they are, in my opinion, is because of the procedure they must follow, under the State Statute, to establ sh an improvement district. In Centervilles case, the vote was for and against the project, exactly according to the lineal feet of property. The percentage of residents, based on actual number, was fewer than 50 percent against the district. 50-5- CITY RECORDER T.M. (Tess) Porter said 151 persons legally protested the improvement district. Under the State Statute of vote necessary to defeat a proposal, it would have required 266 names. Nearly everything involving vote of the or the council public requires a straight majority vote, or a vote at most. Everything, that is, except establishment of an improvement district. two-thir- two-thir- IN THIS case, it requires vote to defeat something that has already been approved. Or to look at it another two-thir- dont agree to is the fact that according to the State Statute, it BUT WHAT I takes the protest vote of residents owning 67 percent of the property within the proposed district to defeat the proposal. I thought this was a Democracy, where the majority rules. Not so in the case of a proposed special improvement district. PRESIDENT Nixon would say, "I want to make this perfectly clear. And I want to make it perfectly clear to the AS way, an improvement district can be approved by only 33 percent of the voters that are directly involved. As one protester put it, "If you want to get something done by minority vote, do it through an improvement district. Its the easiest way in the world to get what you want by slipping in the back door." CENTERVILLE MAYOR Golden Allen - FARMINGTON Davis County started this budget year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31) with a surplus of $420,317, ; IN A report to the Davis County Commission, Robert Goldsberry of Goldsberry & Associates, certified public accountants, told commissioners that projected income is very slow coming in. "The county is not receiving revenue especially from state and federal agencies and revenue sharing programs nearly as fast as expected, said Mr. Golds-berrBut this is the trend in the entire economy of the country. HE EXPLAINED that because of the capital flow being slowed somewhat, county department heads are putting more and more emphasis on staying within the budget. There just isnt the money available to be spent, he said. "Sure the money has been budgeted, but that doesnt mean that funds are immediately available for everything they want to the "BUDGET-WIS- E, money is there on papqr but not in actuality. Several expected revenues are slow getting into the county coffers, causing county officials to not only tighten their belts but to be more selective in how the money is being spent. Comm. Ernest Eberhard Jr. noted that inflation and tremendous increase in construction costs have been a big factor in overspending the capital improvements budget by some $500,000. Referring to an earlier instance (several years ago) when a similar curb, gutter and sidewalk district in the same area was defeated by more than two-thirvote of the property owners, the mayor reiterated: "IF YOU DONT want the district, were not going to force it upon you. , Then the council had the dubious task of voting on the district knowing that the popularity vote, according to percent of land owned, was divided right down the middle. DURING construction of the courthouse, inflation has risen by 22 percent, he said. County Clerk Rodney Walker said a "rough estimate of the overspending for construction on the courthouse would be $500,000. "But that would only be a wild guess based on a previous figure of over- - CAP Will Name New Director FARMINGTON UNLESS A district is defeated by the vote, the council must make the final decision. And the council voted in favor of the district. The district improvements are estimated to cost $1 million, maybe more. Cost estimates, and they are only estimates until the bid is opened and contract awarded, range from $13 for curb and gutter to $17 for curb, gutter and sidewalk per lineal foot. two-thir- 4--0 THUS, FOR AN average frontage of 100 feet, it would cost the property owner $1,300 to $1,700, depending on the improvements. This can be paid off at a low interest rate (about 6 or 7 percent) over a period, according to city ten-ye- officials. Improvements, whatever they are, will increase the value of the property. But it will also give the city-loo- k to a community that has long been known as a small, serene farming community. AND THERE are some residents who want to see these changes. dont but already county agencies are facing an economic crunch. purchase. emphasized to the protest group a couple of weeks ago that the city is not trying to shove anything down their throats." - Bountiful spending the budget on this job, he emphasized. By GARY R. BLODGETT y. WHY PUT off the down- ' SO ALL I am saying is to insist on any veterinarian you go to, that he take a culture under the microscope, before he begins any treatment (particularly dog and cat ear --problems). It will save you time and . expense, but mainly it could save your pets life. Leigh Englebrecht County Agencies Face $$$ Crunch down- town area. tal Health from the Department of Social Services and place it within the proposed Division of Health. At present, both agencies are under the direction of the state social services agency. readers that I am not opposed to what Centerville city officials have done. They have good reason to call for a special improvement district, and they did it legal and proper. Really, its too bad that they are getting so much flack from him to sleep. WE AS citizens do have a very vital concern for the Mental Health The was deteriorating very fast. He became so sick we con- make improvements within the shopping areas. Centerville Improvement District Has Points On Both Sides Of Debate By GARY R. BLODGETT that already established FARMINGTON fine. 800 South. WE ARE concerned THREE "CS should be remembered for measles deDr. Johns contection, tinued, including cough, conjunctivitis or eye irritation and coryza, or a runny nose, another OUR SAD experience was a kitten with a bad ear infection. After a quick look and no slide under a microscope to find the real problem, I was,x told it was ear mites. I wasnt even shown how to clean the ear, etc., only to put so many drops in both ears. The kitten from the city hall. the attitude that it (measles) is just a rash, he said. It's a rash or illness with a fever of 101 degrees or over, with the rash coming hopefully after the fever. so as a last resort we tried vet. This one immediately put a slide from the infected ear under a microscope. He stated it was ring worm and was very advanced. By treating the wrong condition we all suffered, mainly the kitten. After extensive treatment (for the right problem) he is doing Attention pet owners: Those of us that own pets soon come to know the expense of their care; veterinary care of regular shots, food, etc. But the expense is nothing compared with the heartache of seeing them suffer, because of quick guessing and often treatment wrong by veterinarians. considering spending the money for a new proposed shopping complex across for- mulated to check immunizations. We would like to change I Davis County Board of Mental Watch Pet Care WE WOULD like to improve and preserve the downtown shopping area, now and use the money allocated for the blighted areas in our downtown established business areas. Very recently, we became aware that the Redevelopment Agency has about $1 million of available funds at and this the time, Redevelopment Agency is HEALTH Director Richard new proposed complex to take care of the even additional traffic. Alta H. Taylor & 56 citizens of Bountiful in the direction of Fifth South and to and from the freeway. Its very possible that the city may have the extra expense of an additional street in the - A new Davis County Community Action Program is expected to be announced within a few days. CARL CHAPPELL, who has served as CAP director for the past three years, has resigned to accept a job in Austin, Texas as a property manager in the private sector. His resignation will become effective August 17. He said applications have been received during the past two weeks and interviews with the top candidates for the post were completed last Friday by a personnel committee of the CAP board of directors. five-memb- er THE CAPs regular board of directors were scheduled to meet Monday or Tuesday and select a preference list to be submitted to the Davis County for final es- timate by next commission meeting so that this matter, can be discussed before the county mill levy is set. tomorrow (Thursday). . ; Comm. Chairman Glen W. Flint noted that it would take.' two mills to "make up the difference in overspending thus far, and to balance the budget for total courthouse costs. MR. GOLDSBERRY said the county started 1978 with a surplus of just over $600,000, some of which was ear-- .' for. marked 'capital? improvements. I like to see the county with about $500,000 in surplus to start the new year, based on income and expenditures, Mr. Goldsberry said. This amount could be wiped out in just a short time if revenues were drastically reduced." . f : COMM. EBERHARD noted that the percentage of taxes collected in Davis County has dropped nearly six percent in the past decade and four percent in the past two years. Until 1975, collected taxes averaged over 97 percent but this figure dropped to 96.62 in 1975 and was only 91.74 last year. Commissioners explained that the two-mi-ll levy being considered for extra costs assessed against the courthouse remodeling project actually will not amount to an increase of that amount. THERE HAS been a levy assessed taxpayers for the past two years earmarked for this purpose, but this expires at the end of this year, said Comm. Flint. Thus, the commission would have to discontinue that levy and a two-mi-ll levy which would be one-hamill more than is presently assessed. Davis County has a projected property assessed valuation for 1980 of $326 million. Thus, each mill would bring in $326,000, commissioners explained. lf i BUT UNTIL a more definite cost figure is placed on the overage for the courthouse construction, commissioners ' will have to wait until tomorrow (Thursday) to set. a ' new mill levy. executive director for the Commission approval, grb COMMISSIONERS asked for a "more definite August 17th Sr. Citizens Day At r.:; Fair? Senior Citizens Day at the ; Davis County Fair will be held Friday, Aug. 17. Lunch will be served at noon in the- - : Gaslight Terrace at Lagoon. THE LUNCH menu is sliced turkey or ham, macaroni ? salad, potato salad, cheese tomato : .and, .1 wedges, cucumber slices, rolls,--: melon, cookies, ice cream and . an orange drink. . Tickets are available atr senior citizens centers until noon of Wednesday, Aug. 15i : -- The suggested donation is : $1.5. r PROGRAM and a prize: ', drawing will follow lunch. Parking is free for senior : ; citizens who arrive before 1 p.m. To get free parking, show your lunch ticket, dmg |