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Show Page 2 Messenger-Enterpris- ' In our opinion... Letters to the Editor : A tax on We invite Letters to the Editor from our readers Letters must be signed, in good taste and limited to 5 00 words We reserve the nght to edit letters to meet space requirements No more than one letter per person per month will be published The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and do not necessanly reflect the opinions of this newspaper or its staff Went extra mile To the Editor: So often we are quick to criti-- t ie and slow to praise. Along w ith that we ate er slow to say thank ou I am as much at fault at this ax any. I have wanted to write this since the Priinarv Elections ended. I am now writing to sav Thank 'i on and believe that main feel the same wav I do. I am so grateful for the work that our former Sheriff Stan Anderson performed. I know that there ate mail) deeds that have gone unnoticed. Mr. Anderson was constantly looking for wavs to save us money. Did vou know that instead of hiring a woman to help transport female prisoners. Ins wife went along without any compensation? Do vou know the main hours that were spent in search ng for grant monev ? Or the time spent writing the proposal, to win these1 Often this was on his own time. A tew weeks ago found it very interesting to read about the new officer that was most recently lined to work undercover. This i 1 process Sheriff. started search wanted to write just a line or two and tell Keller Christenson thanks for all his serv ice these past I 14 veais. I lav ing worked w ith the coma little in connection missioners with Palisade Pals, hav e had the opportunity to see how much dedication it takes to be an elected official. You don't have to agree with everything they say or do. You must admire their willingness 1 your right to know? Ben Franklin was condemned as an enemy to the crown; he was a life? Is it important? Should vou pa a tax to obtain prominent newspaper publisher and made no bones about informing the people about the about this paper and its information vour community? Representativ e Zolman of West Valiev City thinks vou should. He is the author of House Bill 80, titled "Sales and Use Taxation of oppression coming from England. It was his duty. The first thing England did w as to attempt to shut him down, v ia taxation, seizure of Newspaper or Sales and more. With no Subscriptions." This bill, a feeble assets, did not start under the new voice to expose their attempt to compensate state Mr. Anderson long ago opposing abuses, they would be free to tax coffers for the impending loss of this, which included, the the products and labors of an sales tax revenue on food, will and obtaining the grant uninformed This have a minuscule effect on the money and the search for the perfect officer. How many of us have even thought to thank Mr. Anderson for his tireless pursuit of the "Dare Program"? Statistics show a decrease in drug use and crime w here this program is activ ated. There is also an increase of respect for the population. population would not be knowledgeable about their neighbors' being in the same situation: they would have no means to unite and fight oppression. In addition to stories about gov eminent activ ities. new spapers also carried stories about civ ic and cultural activ ities. local economic police. also know that Mr. Anderissues and son put his office before friendoccurrences. They have been ship and loyalty , This is how it around for centuries. should be! Anything less would be Since this paper began sporadic dishonest. He is a man of integpublication in 1861 (and has run rity . continuously for over 110 years) Mr. Anderson was an asset to people have been able to choose our sheriff department and our their gov eminent leaders bv hav ing community. I am grateful for his a full disclosure of their savings service and for the time he spent and doings. It has exposed criminal making this a better community. I total tax revenues, but may have a devastating effect on weekly newspapers such as this one. Wages are lower in our small than elsewhere in the state, and main of our subscribers are elderly and on fixed incomes and can't afford an new taxes. Weekly onl wav 1 activity, recognized good deeds, to and covered a multitude of say.. "Thank vou Stan Anderson! economic, civic and educational issues. We know vou care deeply Marla Ward about vour community and your Manti work for the quality of life you hope to offer future generations. know main of us wish to step forward and take responsibility for the needs of the county and how much they care about Sanpetes citizens. That sounds like a pretty good wav of describing Keller while in What does this newspaper mean to you? How has it affected your newspapers are the most city and county-go- ernments are scrutinized th Caring, dedicated leader To the Fclitor: Thursday, February 4, 1999( e publicly. Legislators have been on doing a squeeze-pl- a newspapers' ability to bring you information about their actions and local government actions for years. They have gradually-relaxelegal notice standards, limiting what vou can actually read without going down to the city or county offices and demanding to see the entire notice. Now they are preparing to tax only those w ho read new spapers. and that's rank discrimination. The fact is that eliminating sales tax on food is a popular thing to do. It works well in a sound bite newscast, and politicians have and gasoline, taxes are levied as a made their careers on such stands. use deterrent. Lawmakers know Who is going to notice that only that taxation can discourage those who pay attention to what purchases of certain products, these politicians are doing are While they may not realize that a going to pay the tax that follows? newspaper tax would also have a Without newspapers, one deterrent effect, the states which catastrophe waiting to happen is have taxed newspapers have seen government by an elect few who a 20 drop in subscriptions. It can can communicate effectively in a be assumed by even the most naive sound-bit- e and "act that a sales tax is going to decrease the sale of newspapers. In some like an Academy-calibe- r Hollvxvood-bound politician; they instances newspapers have gone can tell us what they are doing via out of business following such' spin c cle. and we can only assume taxation. If we lose subscribers the are telling the truth. In reality because of this tax in order to cover it is the population they rule being the state's tax collection in and the dark requirements, we will lose more kept more about what the are really doing. subscribers - and that means we" n It is a fact that will lose advertisers. If we lose who read people newspapers are advertisers. Manti, Ephraim and in more involved our community Sterling w ill lose their newspaper, on more levels, including an institution that has brought local Neighborhood Watch, Literacy!, news to ou for over 100 years. Please tell our legislators who programs, attend v ou are - the people w ho subscribe council and city meetings and to the paper. Is vour income highj, v olunteer in community sponsored average, low or fixed? Is our such as the Manti newspaper a luxury? Can ou programs Sesquicentennial, County Fair, handle another tax that singles out, those who care most about their youth summer and athleticrecreation activities and communities? Is access to community festivals. How much information any- less essential than' better could our community be if food? Will it truly in the short or more people were informed? long run improve our quality of more would we pay in taxes life? for services previously filled by These are questions only yod informed, caring volunteers can answer. Please answer to our without these readers? In other legislators: Mike Sty ler and Brad words, what is the cost of Johnson, toll free at 3367. Please also alert Senator ignorance? is the Why Legislature singling Blackham, toll free at out newspapers in particular? In 8824 to see if he will also the problems of alcohol, tobacco. our weekly papers. well-know- school-sponsore- d county-commissio- -- non-scho- ol How-muc- 1 77-585- help-preserv- Patenting's Ppiegs office, a caring, dedicated, responsible leader. Thanks, and all the best to ou and Marian! Sincerely, Bill Peterson President of Palisade Pals You Will Lovgl WANT A NEW LOOK IN 99? No program fees No Ladies Top Qualify center visits No contracts Food shipped direct to your door i,sf 3 3 ibs. 1 - 877 - 787 - 5326 toll free WEATHER for the Manti area Reported by Lee J. Anderson Men s Best Buys t hare Aeie Stjjles in J iieo's or Ladies y IVranglers 13MWZ INSEAM 3840 Men's & Youth THE 1111 ANTI THE IV MESSENGER USPS 3284-000- Enterprise USPS 0 Inc. Copyright, Messenger-Enterprisserved. Reproduction, reuse or transmittal e, PANTS EPHRAIM 1777-200- 0 1998. All rights r of all matter herein prohibited without prior written permission by the publisher. Published each Thursday for 50c each, $16.00 a year insic Sanpete County and $ 9.00 outside Sanpete County, by Messei Inc., 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642. Periodicals Postage Paid at Manti, Utah. . POSTMASTER: member Send address changes to: of ys SHORTS Men s, Fashion Colors 550 Leri-- 1 r m . Inc. 35 S. Main, Manti UT 84642 Messenger-Enterpris- e YeiiLSIioeStjlesI Sketchers Keds New Balance Jnco Publishers Editor General Manager Sales Representative Manti City Reporter Max and Beth Call Max Call David Call Tricia Call Ephraim City Reporter .... Sanpete County Reporter . Manti High School Sports ... Lynn ...Karen Buchanan Schiffman Shirley Bahlmann Brad Barton, Greg Dettinger a $2198 T-SHIRTS Me still hare iiiani) men's, ladies' & children's shoes discounted Nike H998 u i ran piptOTti d? i 501s s o (HKF HO |