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Show Viewpoints The A-17 Park Record. Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, September 7-10, 2019 editorial Count on nonprofit clinic to care for the Parkites who need it most hen the People’s Health Clinic was founded in 1999, it treated patients out of a van. These days, though, its small beginnings seem distant. It was more than a decade ago now that the clinic settled into its permanent home in Round Valley after utilizing a few other brickand-mortar locations. And last year, the nonprofit expanded again, opening a new facility in Heber to better serve people who lack health insurance throughout the Wasatch Back. As the People’s Health Clinic celebrates its 20th year, the community it has lifted up is immensely grateful for its contributions. For underserved residents, especially, the nonprofit has been nothing short of a godsend. Over the past two decades, thousands of people who couldn’t otherwise afford health care have turned to the clinic for treatment and been welcomed with open arms. In 2018 alone, the clinic saw nearly 10,000 patient visits, a number that is even more remarkable considering the organization relies largely on volunteers — many of them doctors from the nearby Park City Hospital — to fulfill its mission. Of course, the need for a nonprofit like the People’s W guest editorial Ratings at all costs: We all lose in cable news game of ‘gotcha’ JOHN KUSHMA Logan James Carville was a campaign strategist for Bill Clinton during the 1992 presidential election. Clinton was facing incumbent president George H.W. Bush. Carville is credited with coining the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid,” using it as a focal point to which Clinton supporters rallied to unseat Bush, who was embroiled in a national economic recession. The phrase caught on in our pop culture and has become a widely used axiom to mnemonically point up something that is both obvious and substantiative to both our nationally collective and individually personal best interests. Well, yeah, it is the economy. Who could argue against a good economy, or the precept of a good economy, juxtaposed to a bad economy? Good is always better than bad, right? Politically, then, with this axiom blazing the media trail into our subconscious mind, one could tag any number of “issues” with the same level of importance as being an outstanding and obvious concern by simply interjecting into the media the phrase ... “It’s the (your favorite issue here ... health care, immigration, race relations, etc.), Stupid.” I think “It’s the MEDIA, Stupid” ... especially, the super-competitive, ratings-driven 24-hour cable news media. Let’s face it — this is where most Americans get their news and from which most Americans draw their opinions. This is serious, obvious, and substantiative psychology ... emotional tectonics. In every sense of it “the media” controls our thinking to such a degree that we’ll buy, do and say what it tells us. Not all of us, thank God, but a substantial enough number of Americans that we, someone, should take a closer look at this and where we’re headed. In my opinion, it’s gotten so far out of control that we collectively as a nation are starting to resemble “The Manchurian Candidate,” someone whose mind is controlled by someone else for advantageous inclinations ... Confused? Well, see the movie, it’s a classic. It’s about mind control. “The Manchurian Candidate” was remade in 2004 with Denzel Washington and it’s just as good if not better than the original with Frank Sinatra. Maybe not to the severe degree as in the film, but to a very significant degree, our media controls our minds ... to a degree that I contest is out of control. Even to a degree that “the media” recognizes its power and influence and has become jaded, or better, arrogant, to the fact that the professional communicator has a responsibility to serve up the news and not spice it up. Editorializing should be left to the The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER ....................... Andy Bernhard Editor ................................... Bubba Brown Staff Writers ......................Jay Hamburger Scott Iwasaki Alexander Cramer Ryan Kostecka Contributing ............................. Tom Clyde Writers Jay Meehan Teri Orr Amy Roberts Tom Kelly Joe Lair Copy Editor ............................ James Hoyt Photographer .........................Tanzi Propst Circulation Manager ............. Lacy Brundy Accounting Manager ......... Jennifer Snow ADVERTISING Advertising Director ........... Valerie Spung Advertising Sales ................... Jodi Hecker Erin Donnelly Lindsay Lane Sharon Bush Production Director ..................Ben Olson Production ........................Chelsea Babbitt editorial page or segment and branded as such. What we have now is a cacophony of glitzy media stars, reality show hosts and advertisers appealing to our worst instincts to make important decisions that affect our personal and collective lives, and, profoundly, the course of history itself. The media is so out of control, and so hellbent on outdoing one another in the ratings game that they push the envelope on truth and walk a thin line regarding reckless reporting of the news. Bias reporting is one thing but show biz spectacle crosses the line. Case in point: Recently, CNN’s Chris Cuomo tried to over-the-top sensationalize a half-baked story about Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne’s outrageous claims that he was recruited by the FBI, CIA, and “Deep State” to have a romantic affair with Russian spy Maria Butina to solicit information regarding the 2016 presidential election. All of which or some of which may have been true, but the reckless way Cuomo clamped on to the spectacle with little to no solid information and the shameless way Byrne clamored for television fame and face time immediately degraded the story to a foolish media farce and discredited CNN, Cuomo and Byrne in the mix. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell had to retract and apologize for a story he fronted about President Trump’s finances, tax returns and dealings with German financier Deutsche Bank saying that Trump borrowed millions of dollars from Deutsche Bank and the loans were signed by Russian oligarchs. The White House immediately called O’Donnell on this proving the loans were not fronted by “Russian oligarchs” and requested an apology and retraction which O’Donnell embarrassingly offered on-air. O’Donnell got out too far ahead of himself and recklessly reported and editorialized in his favor a disingenuous story based on the probability that it may have been true recognizing Trump’s reputation and performance. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow reported that the U.S. government has recently given immigrants seeking asylum who have at-risk children on a medically deferred action program 33 days to get out of the country or face deportation proceedings. These kids are in serious trouble with cancer, heart diseases, etc. and many are on life support and some face multiple operations. Rachel cried on air to make her point, and in an over-the-top, almost shameless appeal to her audience, and using these kids as bait, for ... what? ... ratings? ... she pinned it all on Donald Trump and his unconscionably reckless administration for the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing ... and even for more darker reasons. I think Rachel got out too far ahead of both the story and herself, emotionally, which played right into the hands of her viewing audience. I mean, who can resist a crying woman and dying children to strike an emotional chord in us and prime us for “buying” what she is, or MSNBC is, selling. Ratings. I don’t think any doctor caring for these at-risk kids would permit any such policy to interfere with their professional, critical, life-saving care. Save the tears and emotions, Rachel, there is no Academy Award for you here. But thanks for the information. It’s a double-edged sword, the media. They do a good job of digging and reporting, we need them. A free press is probably our most valuable right and asset as Americans, but it seems to have become a vicious marketing game of “gotcha” within the media. Are they reflecting our values or are we a reflection of their cake and circus marketing and a pawn in the media’s ratings game? Either way, it’s not speaking well of either of us. John Kushma is a communication consultant and lives in Logan. Health Clinic at all is frustrating, especially in a place like Park City. Our town is one of the wealthiest places in the country, yet the reality is thousands of our neighbors do not have health insurance or the means to procure critical services, such as prenatal care, children’s vision care and treatment for chronic diseases. We are immensely fortunate, then, to have an organization that has been willing for 20 years to step up and lend a helping hand to residents in need. Already, too many Parkites go without the kind of basic health care many of us take for granted. How many more would be in a similar situation if not for the tireless efforts of the People’s Health Clinic and the hundreds of dedicated people whose efforts have helped it thrive? Perhaps in another 20 years, the clinic, and others like it, will no longer be necessary as the political winds shift toward a system in which health care is treated like the basic human right it is. But until that day comes — if it ever does — Parkites can rest assured knowing the People’s Health Clinic will be there, caring for those of us who need it most. For more information about the People’s Health Clinic, including how to volunteer for the nonprofit, visit peopleshealthclinic.org. letters to the editor A magical evening Editor: On behalf of the Summit Land Conservancy’s board of directors, our staff, our soiree committee, and our volunteers, I’d like to thank the community for supporting land conservation at the Blue Sky Bash recently. The Blue Sky Ranch, nestled in the golden hills above Wanship, is the perfect place to talk about open space and come eye to eye with cowboys, horses, hawks and eagles. Two other land trusts provided auction items for our event: Bainbridge Island Land Trust in Washington and Columbia Land Trust in Oregon helped us raise money to save land here in Utah, and in exchange, we’re able to offer them a ski trip to Park City, thanks to Vail Epic Promise. There was truly magic in the room Saturday night. As our guests mingle among raptors brought by our friends at Hawkwatch International, and sip beverages prepared by High West and Old Town Cellars, something special happened. People stood up to save the places that are precious not just for wildlife or agriculture, but for children and for the future. As a local nonprofit, the Summit Land Conservancy relies on this kind of support to save land. In the last 12 months we’ve completed six conservation easement projects in Summit County, including the Osguthorpe Farm on Old Ranch Road. This conservation is only possible because of our generous community. Cheryl Fox Summit Land Conservancy executive director Thrilling milestone Editor: It was thrilling for our family and so many others to read your headline “Mental health services enter new era September 1.” On that date the county’s new contract with Healthy U Behavioral became effective, promising much-needed treatment services for our loved ones who live with mental illness. We want to heartily thank and commend the Summit County Council members, County Manager Tom Fisher, Health Department Director Rich Bullough, Behavioral Health Director Aaron Newman, Park City Council members and all the community volunteers who worked to achieve this milestone for their dedication and leadership. When the community started to focus on improving mental health services four years ago, we didn’t dare think that we could come this far this quickly. Past problems with lack of service providers, long wait times for treatment and lack of continuity of care will now be firmly addressed. But we need to remember that this accomplishment is a milestone, not our end objective of robust, effective behavioral health services for all residents of Summit County. Much remains to be done in rehabilitation services, for example. The recent opening of the Summit County Clubhouse as a place where adults with a history of mental illness can build the skills to reintegrate into the community is a significant step. Nor should we let our excitement overshadow the problem of the stigma that comes with mental illness. There is no point in having the best mental health services possible if stigma makes the people who need them afraid to seek them out. We must be supportive of those who are addressing their mental health challenges and help them be full members of our community. Much remains to be done, but what we have seen our community do over the past four years gives us great confidence in our ultimate success. Lynne and Ed Rutan Park City Tip of the miner’s hat Editor: In 1896 a group of 400 miners paraded down Park City’s Main Street, marching down to City Park for an afternoon of fun and sport with the community. The Park City Rotary Club is proud to carry on that tradition. Thanks to all for helping support the 124th edition of Miners Day this past Monday, especially for the huge turnout we had with Running of the Balls. We hope you had an enjoyable day. Miners Day is a time for all of us to come together to celebrate our roots with our families. But it’s also a day to help the many wonderful causes supported by Park City’s nonprofits. Later this month the Park City Rotary Club will award $20,000 in grants to help make our support a wide ranging array of needs. Our clubs is one of 33,000 Rotary clubs around the world, with 1.2 million members all focused on providing service to our communities. The Park City Rotary Club has produced Miners Day for the community over decades. But it takes many partners for its success. Thanks to Park City Municipal for its partnership, along with our primary sponsors Zions Bank and UPS Store, along with our lead Running of the Balls prizing partners Vail Resorts Epic Promise and Deer Valley Resort. And a tip of the miner’s hat to all of the other local organizations and companies who stepped up to help. Miners Day is an important tradition for our town. We look forward to seeing all of you on historic Main Street and in City Park next year on Monday, Sept. 7 for the 125th edition of Park City Miners Day. Colin DeFord Park City Rotary Club president Why dump Tech Center deal? Editor: This is in response to the excellent article by Alexander Cramer regarding the proposed changes to the Park City Tech Center property. The one objection I have with the article is the statement that “A decade ago, Summit County leaders tried to catch on to the growing trend by approving a tech center...” I also object to the whole concept as presented, but the reporting was great. The Tech Center was one of the results of a much more complex negotiation for the purchase of open space from PRI (the arm of the LDS church that managed real estate). While Bob Richer was the main architect of this deal, I was the City Council representative on the negotiating team, as well as the Council liaison to COSAC at the time. The total transaction involved the purchase of significant acreage in Round Valley, the open space leading from S.R. 224 up to the Olympic Park, and the Triangle parcel adjacent to U.S. 40 south of the road maintenance shed. Combined funds from the city and the county were used to complete this $25 million transaction. The Boyer Company retained the balance of the PRI property (approximately 89 acres) and separately submitted an application to develop the Tech Center. The concept of approving a Tech Center as an allowable use was suggested as a way to develop high-paying jobs that would allow employees of the Tech Center to afford to purchase homes in Summit County. The deal served the goals of both the city and county by removing approximately 800 single-family development units, providing significant increases to our open space, and providing a vehicle for high-paying jobs in the county. There was no downside for the county. So, the question is — why would we want to dump this deal, and provide a new developer the ability to develop “2 million square feet of development, including 1,135 residential units, commercial space, retail, offices and possibly hotels” on this space? If you agree, please let your Planning Commission and County Council members know. Jim Hier Mesquite, Nevada Stop passing the buck Editor: With Park City and Summit County burgeoning to the point of overcrowding and with no apparent plan in place to limit expansion, why is there a continuous push to build affordable housing? Isn’t affordable housing a direct result of business owners paying their employees too cheaply? If business owners paid their employees a living wage, there wouldn’t be a need for “affordable housing” because workers would be able to sustain themselves on a proper wage. So can’t the argument be made that the middle class is once again indirectly paying for wealthy business owners to construct housing while these same business owners bask in profits? Are we really saying business owners such as Vail Resorts for example can’t assume the independent cost of building housing for workers they grossly underpay? Instead they along with others pass the cost on to the taxpayers while their profits increase? And what about other owners who own multiple businesses and swaths of land? Should everyone else pay to support these owners at the cost of their workers not being paid a sustainable wage? How about business owners dig into their pockets, and start paying a respectable living wage to the people who work for them, and stop passing the buck. Andre Palai Jeremy Ranch |