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Show Pleasant Grove ReviewLindon New Utah! - Wednesday, September 26, 2001 - Page 2 Opinion n - Be patriotic - vote Tuesday North Utah County residents resi-dents have a great opportunity opportu-nity to1 express their confidence' confi-dence' and trust in their country next Tuesday by getting get-ting out and voting in the primary elections which will be held in many of our communities. com-munities. In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on our r nation:,; the spirit of patriotism patriot-ism has" experienced a resurgence resur-gence of dynamic proportions'. propor-tions'. There are many ways we can express our confidence confi-dence and commitment to our country. l One of the best ways is to vote.' " ; " Our system of elected government gov-ernment best represents the ideals of the Founding Fathers, who invented our nation based on the principle that the right to govern is granted not by noble birth or military might,, but by the will of those who would be governed." ' ' Our vote is our collective expression of that public will. It is also an investment in the future or our communities,' communi-ties,' gesture which indi- cats 'ouf "trust in that most important principle. W&Jaave, often, in this space, written about the important role city government govern-ment plays . in our individuals lives. While our mayors and city council don't determine foreign' or clomestic policy, ; I they, make hundreds of deci- sions that affect our everyday every-day lives. Everything from sewer rates to city plans to park projects is in the hands of our city officials. They help determine our property taxes, decide how much our libraries will be able to spend on books and resources, and establish zones where businesses may or may not build. While these decisions may seem inconsequential when considered with the weightier weighti-er matters of national and even state politics, in fact they are the decisions which have a definite affect on our quality of life. The fact that many of our local communities will have primary elections is a clear indication that our political system is alive and well on the hometown level. The candidates, can-didates, local residents who are not professional politicians, politi-cians, are running for these offices because they have a sincere interest in the well-being well-being of their communities, and because they think they can make a difference. Now it is up to the voters to learn about the candidates and then make the effort on Tuesday to go to the polls and cast their ballots. There is no better way to show that we still believe in America and the principles of one man-one vote that have made our country the greatest great-est in the world: Star-spangled banner still waves As I look around our community, commu-nity, I 'fcah't help but see the outpouring out-pouring of patriotism. American flags line . dur streets. Most homes ..have a flag flying somewhere some-where on the property. Many businesses are flying flags. The fire department flies flags high above us,. on their large boom. Even cars have small flags attached ':(to- ; their antennas. Flags fly -everywhere and I love to see them. It's been two weeks since the disastrous attack on New York, the Pentagon, and the aircraft crash outside Pittsburgh. Life is settling ' back into a "normal" pattern. We need to bring order and normalcy into our lives. Yet as Ii look around, I see a new normal developing. This goes beyond increased security. Perhaps Per-haps this attack on our freedom and sense of security will cause us to remember "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." " As we watch our flag flying proudly let's think about the words many ..of us learned as children, and repeated daily throughout our school years. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. . .".Allegiance is loyalty, loyal-ty, devotion. Let's remember, and pledge - our loyalty to the great principles, of this country. Freedom. Democracy. Let's show our allegiance to our government; govern-ment; and put democracy to work 'as we study the candidates! candi-dates! and issues on which we will vote in just over a month. ". . And to; the republic for which it stands. . ." I am impressed with the leaders of our country; with their devotion to the principles of truth and liberty, with their restraint as they prepare to lead us to conquer, con-quer, this foe called terrorism. I am impressed with the citizens who chose to listen to the words of our President, rather than continue a hockey game. One.ixation, under God. . ." Prayers . have flowed freely these past two weeks. I heard one national television network newscaster end his broadcast by stating that their prayers would be with those people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania Pennsyl-vania who have lost their loved ones. "God Bless America" flashes flash-es on lighted marquees, on billboards, bill-boards, on hand-painted signs. ". . .Indivisible. . ." Such a united outpouring of love and support as has never been seen has flowed eastward to help our brothers, sisters, family, friends, and complete strangers. The true strength of America lies within its individual citizens. That's you and me. Our unity and support will get us through this tragedy, it will strengthen our country forever. ". . .With liberty and justice for all." A crack of weakness will appear and dilute our strength if we do not remember and live this last important statement. Liberty for all is not forcing an American citizen of Arabic descent off a plane. We must remember that many of our own forefathers spoke a broken English Eng-lish when they first arrived in this country. They came here from far away places so that they could live in freedom, liberty, liber-ty, and justice. They had to work for their American citizenship, a gift granted to us upon our birth. Justice must be served on the perpetrators and supporters of this despicable act. Justice no more but no less. Our resolve will be tested and we will face difficult times as we work to see justice done, and as we reestablish reestab-lish safety and security. I look around and feel proud as I see the many flags flying. Let's all remember what the flag stands. for, of the sacrifices that have been made. Let's keep this rebirth of patriotism alive as we live those words we learned to pledge when we were young. Make a difference by voting in the primarie Next Tuesday is Pleasant Grove's primary election. Every citizen has an opportunity to determine which two mayoral candidates can-didates and which four city council candidates will run in the general election in November. Right now there are six candidates for mayor and eight candidates running for the two city council positions. Last week there was a Meet the Candidates Night, and I have to say I was very impressed with the turnout. Before the event, everyone every-one I talked to said in the past not very many people have come. So I wasn't expecting much, but it turned out to be a very large crowd that filled the Junior High Auditorium. I saw people with notebooks and people gathering all the pamphlets the candidates passed out. It was good to see so many people interested in how their city was going to be governed. gov-erned. It was a very informative evening and very well put together. togeth-er. With so many candidates, the evening could have lasted three or four hours. However, each candidate candi-date was given specific questions and was timed. Ott Dameron, Lin-don's Lin-don's city administrator was the moderator, and he didn't hesitate to cut the candidates off if they went over their allotted time. It was good to put a face with and actually meet the candidates. I think those who attended the forum learned quite a bit about nitv WP rmm : J. , were. wp i each candidate. There are so many people running this year, so many qualified and sincere individuals. If you missed last week's meeting, I've been told there will be another anoth-er Meet the Candidates Night before the election in November, so plan on attending that. I think each candidate should be commended for even running for city office. It takes a brave person per-son to run for office or to even get up and speak in front of a large group of people. In'Lindon, the only residents running for office are the incumbent incum-bent mayor, Larry Ellertson, and two city council members seeking re-election. I've wondered recently if that means people are content with the way the city is being run, or if the citizens just don't want to get involved. Conversely, does that mean that in Pleasant Grove the people are unhappy with the current leadership, or that many people sincerely care about their city and want to serve the citizens? citi-zens? I think it's a little of both, but I also think that Pleasant Grove is experiencing some growing pains and some big changes. We are not the small rural bedroom commu- decide what direction we K oUr tr, r, . .. we Warn. 1 yy s tu in the vpn, uture, ana people want fa i their say in that. ' 10 K Which brings us tn n, : the voters. You need e f ' what direction you want th lii go in and you need to derift you can trust to do the be, f vk the city. Are you happ tft, way thimrs are h much the same wav? n, n 1 Mayor Ed Sanderson ZIT: 1! S want things to continue en an Tu rin tVio riUr :i t "lelniot! wV v-uuum. JJO vnn A- there needs to be a chi 'S Two things need to happen Tuesday. First, there m?? 6 ij u ,lurnout. 1 think UUamc lu nave a snwli percentage of 'the city's pop determine which candidates m the general election. Second ft voters must be informed. This m take some work on your part i there's no sense in voting if J' haven't studied the candidates taken the time to get to knowtJr issues being discussed. talk to your neighbors and friends and encourage them t0 t vote next Tuesday, after all, if; -iio' iiiu auer last year's the difference one vote can mak '; Destroy them off the face of the earth Last week I wrote this message to terrorists. I didn't know whether we could publish it because it wasn't my week to write a column, but, if nothing else, it made me feel better. And perhaps it will be all the more timely a year from now. We do not comprehend all that it will cost, but the world can never forget Sept. 11,2001. Our message to terrorists: Perhaps now you can believe the unthinkable: America, even with all its faults, is a religious nation, too. We are a peaceful people, whose peace has been threatened by one of the most cowardly and monstrously evil acts in history. Although we do not desire to shed blood, be assured that we have a moral duty and divine directive to rid the world of such evil. Indeed, a civilized world cannot, can-not, in the least degree, tolerate your wickedness. Your continued existence on this planet is now only a matter of time. It may be days; it may be weeks, months, or even years, but your day of reckoning has arrived. You are a deadly parasite on the body of world peace. You will be hunted and you will run, but there is no place to hide. maliciously taken have beeii sanctined on the altar of freedor. C i- 'IT- !! ou gieau a sacrmce will never be torgotten. XT 11 i we can uu ngmeous people 0 every race and religion to rid tie world of evil. ... ana . witness tne power ol truth and freedom! liild Fal i'de :;an 3t t( You are homeless. As fugitives of the world's righteous judgment, governments that harbor you will be overthrown. over-thrown. Your assets will be liquidated; your bank accounts confiscated. The only death you may purchase pur-chase is your own. You have created your own false God to justify your own self-murder self-murder and the murder of thousands thou-sands of innocents. Your pernicious death wish is about to be fulfilled. The false God you profess will receive you into his own kingdom, who is none other than Satan himself. Out of the ashes of New York and Washington, our nation, OF WHICH YOU KNOW NOTHING, has set aside its petty differences and stands united under God as never before. The innocent lives you have so Lot livei join ::urs. :rest natu irder aildr The title of this column strong language. It's not mine. comes from the Book of Mormca "...when the Lamanites founj that there were robbe; (Gadianton's robbers and imi derers) among them, they wertj exceedingly sorrowful; and tli did use every means in the power to destroy them off thefaa of the earth." (Hel. 6:20) Note that their exceeding d row was followed by fierce dett mination. According to Book Mormon history, the LamanileJ were Dreserved in the lanl because (1) they were brought uf. with false traditions (Alma 9:16 and (2) they were, as a people, faithful to their wives and ctil dren (Jacob 3:5-7). Perhaps thajtafl is also a third major reason: ikU Ni were more diligent and deter h this mined than the Nephites a jsani destroying secret works of dari ness (see Ether 8:18-26). Amprica must rise to the occa sion and rescue our loss of IMS 'Hoi :at ca :irden -rent -tegr: sane rd m ier i Reader's Forum Please vote Editor: "Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half." This amusing quote of Gore Vidal illustrates a level of apathy that certainly cer-tainly exists across our nation. By statistics the last two national elections elec-tions only brought out about 50 percent per-cent of registered voters. State elections elec-tions reflect less interest and local elections ... well let's just say issues at that level just don't seem to be important ... or are they? Consider this, the results of local elections affect the delivery of emergency emer-gency services, the location of retail stores, the amount of taxes you pay and the type of public facilities available. Traffic safety, development, develop-ment, public service, parks and road construction are also a few issues that are directly or indirectly steered by the local vote. To simplify, and in all reality, local elections have a far greater impact on your life than those at the state and national level. Difficult Diffi-cult to believe but a little thought of what affects you daily will illustrate this truth. Local elections held on Oct. 2 (primary) (pri-mary) and Nov. 6 give you the opportunity oppor-tunity to invoke your privilege. Investigate the candidates because you will be their employer. Any candidate can-didate will welcome questions by phone, e-mail or otherwise. In light of recent horrific events it is important impor-tant to remember who we are and what we stand for. We are and will remain the greatest nation on earth. Please exercise your rights. Mark I. Johnson Thanks for Web paper Editor: I really enjoyed reading your Web newspaper. It brought back memories of my youth. It was great to read what individual citizens were doing to aid the victims of terrorist ter-rorist attacks in New York, Washington Wash-ington and victims of the plane crash in Pennsylvania. We are indeed a blessed people, for we can aid our own people. Reading the article about the orphans in Romania it brought tears to my eyes when I read that 4- nf fmn nrevio'Jii me same paieuio r-- i adopted daughters would have love for their other children they would offer them up so t io-Vit rnme to this uiitjr uwv iiiif,." c i nA klacc America. Ken rM Safford: neve ;'taar ides c- ad( and wor ".ting feat For the Fraziers Editor: , fm;v An open letter to the m Donald Frazier. , I have just seen the nj' my computer of Don s deatn. ; Elma, years ago when TO". DeAnn was suffering and hpr a brain cancer, you gave . ful picture ot s. told you she ma nut Biswas such a cornfo and you being my visiting i really grew to love you iana good memories for me May your aap - ; r easd light with the coj your family ana n-- Lord- :r.pmvaltf-1 rJonnie ' . Pleasant Grove Review NewlItah! - (ISSN No. 1521-6861) --"(U.S.P.S. No. 435-780) 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 A member of NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION Telephone Numbers Circulation 375-5103 News & Advertising 756-7669 Publisher Brett Bezzant Managing Editor Marc Haddock City Editor Karli Poyfair Subscription price S26 per year Periodicals Postage Paid at American Fork. Utah POSTMASTER: send address change to 59 West Main. American Fork. Utah 84003 Deadlines Classified Advertising . . Tuesday, noon Display Advertising Monday. 5 p.m. News Monday. 2 p.m. Missionaries Monday. 2 p.m. Weddings Monday. 2 p.m. Letters to the Editor . . .Monday. 10 am. Sports Monday. 10 a.m. Community Calendar . Monday. 10 a.m. Obituaries Tuesday. 11 am. i ..Ac . ,Hrc must ine'r. vve welcome letters to the editor, mm ieuc.- :peDr,one r'" . author's name (printed AND signed) and a tei v nC 1-.. w ,u. At lottol-Q for CldlllX- r:. tion, taste and length. Letters are welcome on us HOW TO RE ACH By Mail P.O. Box 7. American Fork, UT 84003 In Person 59 W. Main, American Fork By Fax 756-5274 BY E-Mail editorneW Utah."" yAtv :ra Bov .--aid Sc 'arrj ; 3 Re.es, ancle k S Hal parif 4 |