OCR Text |
Show New Utah -Thursday, March 11. 2004 -Page 2 Pleasant Grove ReviewLindon Review Opinion la Take steps to better health It has often been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The journey to good health and greater enjoyment of life can begin with that same step. Utahns are being urged to take some of those steps right now and there are those in north Utah County on hand to help. With the lofty goal of walking to Mars, or the equivalent of 34 million miles, Utahns have begun the journey. A recent posting on the utahwalks.org Web site shows that the state's residents have passed 200,000 miles of that journey so far this year. That may not seem like much when compared with the total distance, but the program of tracking mileage is expected to rise exponentially expo-nentially during the year. Walking is considered to have many benefits, both physical and mental. Those who do the exercise exer-cise have 20 percent less breast cancer, 50 percent less diabetes and premature death, a 30 to 40 percent reduction of heart disease, dis-ease, reduced risk of stroke and improvement in symptoms of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. That's a pretty big benefit bene-fit from something we learned to do as babies. No special equipment other than a pair of good shoes is required. There is no membership necessary. The spring season brings many opportunities to walk and enjoy nature and our communities. Those who want to do exercise other than walking may log the equivalent number of miles according to the form they select. Of course, the benefits of exercise exer-cise come to the person whether or not the miles are tallied. But the mere process of keeping track seems to spur people on to extend themselves and complete more exercise than they otherwise would. Anyone who would like to begin the program is invited to form a group of friends, family, co-workers or other associates and start. Individuals are also welcome. Information is available from the Web site listed above or from Ashley Williams of Intermoun-tain Intermoun-tain Health Care. She is willing to set up a time to meet with your group, and may be reached at 374-1524. Take the first step. Mars has never been closer. Getting the recipe right I used to work at a steel mill. Yeah, I know - it's hard to imagine this wimpy, weak-armed stiff hefting heft-ing 50-ton steel coils. Which is why I never lifted anything heavier than a press release. But it was an interesting inter-esting place to work, and I learned . . . well, you know . . . tons. One of the things I learned is that steel is made from three basic elements: iron ore, coal and limestone. lime-stone. There's a lot of other stuff that goes into the steel-making process, but basically it comes down to those three elements. If you tamper with one of the elements or eliminate it entirely, you don't have . steel. You may have some very fine pig iron, which can be used in a lot of important ways. But it isn't steel, no matter how much you may want it to be. And sometimes, I will admit, we wanted it to be steel when it wasn't. Sometimes we didn't get the recipe right, and no amount of wishing wish-ing or wailing could turn the product prod-uct into steel. I'm not exactly sure what the precise metallurgical term is for steel that doesn't have the right stuff in it - but it isn't steel. It's something else completely different. dif-ferent. But when the recipe is right and the process is completed properly, prop-erly, there's not a better building material in the world. It is literally the physical foundation upon which much of contemporary civilization is built. I've been thinking about this lately with all of the discussion that's been going on in our country about marriage. A relatively small group of people is trying to redefine marriage - what it is, and who it involves - as if 6,000 years of human history suddenly isn't enough of a definition. They're mixing mix-ing different elements together and claiming that it is the same institution institu-tion that has been the glue holding society together for millennia. That approach doesn't work in steel making, and it doesn't work with marriage. Part of what makes marriage unique and significant is the way it brings together two very different things - a man and a woman - and makes from those two different things one thing: a family. Each entity brings something unique to the partnership, and each is needed to make it work. It is like mixing iron ore, coal and limestone to make steel. Bring these elements together and you create something new. Something strong. Something upon which you can build. This union is the heart and soul of the family, which is the bedrock upon which humanity is structured. For thousands of years, "marriage" has been recognized as a union between a man and a woman - not just between two loving people, but J -" 'T'S' specifically between a man and a woman. No one has questioned it. It has been irrefutable. Change it, and you change society. In what ways? To tell the truth, I don't know. Nobody does. That's the . problem. There's no precedent for this. We have no idea what this basic, fundamental change to our most basic, fundamental institution will mean to society five or 10 generations gen-erations from now. But we do know that history has proven that marriage between a man and a woman works - not every time, but often enough that it has endured through the centuries as the centerpiece of human experience. experi-ence. And we know that this unique relationship provides the best opportunity to launch children toward happy, healthy, secure, productive pro-ductive lives. Still, there are those who would ignore centuries of life-affirming experience in favor of an experiment experi-ment in social engineering, gambling gam-bling that its long-term impact won't be destructive to marriage and the family. In the name of political polit-ical correctness, they wish to pillage a time-honored institution by turning turn-ing it into something it isn't. And they are trying to make those of us who honor and respect the institution institu-tion of marriage as it is feel guilty about our opinion, suggesting from their bully media pulpit that being opposed to homosexual marriage on moral grounds somehow makes us homophobic, and that we have no right to an opinion that is not based on their standard of moral relativism rela-tivism and contrived egalitarian-ism. egalitarian-ism. All of which is, of course, extremist extrem-ist baloney. If one can be opposed to the policies of the President of the United States and still love America, Ameri-ca, then one can be opposed to homosexual marriage and still love homosexual friends and family members. The fact is, marriage is not a political tool, to be invoked as a means of validating a lifestyle or obtaining legal benefits and rights. It was not created by legislation or litigation. It was created by God and has endured through the ages because it works. The fact that marriage mar-riage requires a man and a woman isn't a political statement - it is a fact of life. Expanding the definition of marriage to include other kinds of relationships is an exercise in futility. No matter how loving and committed these relationships might be, they can't be a marriage. The recipe is wrong. I spy a curious building inthePG f(flZ J . .. H Alliance - tka .. Entering Pleasant Grove from Interstate 15 these days, you might notice an unusual new structure at the corner of Pleasant Grove Boulevard and 700 South. A new, mobile office building has recently been placed near the freeway free-way in a prominent location - but with no indication of its purpose. As there is no identifying sign on the building (yet) a little head scratching follows. "So what's up?" the passer-by will ask. "Are the Proctors opening a small motel? Maybe somebody's building a golf course by the freeway free-way and this is the Pro Shop! Has UTA gone upscale and built a new, furnished bus stop? Rest easy readers, the great mystery of the puzzling Gateway structure is about to unfold - in the comfortable Q & A format we all know and love: Q: What's the purpose of the mobile office building on PG Blvd. in the Gateway? A: It's the new Gateway Marketing Market-ing Office for Pleasant Grove City. It will be used to promote the coming com-ing development of the Pleasant it city's economic gram, it is will remain . "-jve i Grove Gateway (1-15 off rampPG Blvd) area. As the city enters into the second phase of its economic development program, marketing of the Gateway area will take center cen-ter stage. Q: What properties and projects will be promoted? A: All development projects in the city will be featured there -including commercial, industrial, office and residential development efforts. Pleasant Grove City appreciates appre-ciates the investment and interest of all property owners and developers develop-ers and will make an effort to assist them in their Pleasant Grove development ventures. Q: Who will run the office? How long will it be there? Who's paying for it? A: The office will be staffed by city economic development representatives repre-sentatives including members of the Pleasant Grove Business Reader's Forum Go to your caucus Editor: The Utah County League of Women voters reminds all our citizens that democracy begins with you. Without your participation you have no say in government and its decisions and consequently conse-quently might as well live in another country without our form of government. gov-ernment. Without full participation by citizens, government becomes by and for the few with the loudest voices and the most economic and political polit-ical power. In Utah, the party caucus is your first direct opportunity to influence the governance of your state. The caucus is where delegates are elected who will then go on to county conventions to nominate local legislative legisla-tive representatives and to the state conventions to nominate governor, U.S. senate and congressional congres-sional candidates and other state-wide officers. Both Democratic and Republican party caucuses cau-cuses will be meeting in your neighborhoods. Announcements for the March 23 meeting sites will be made by the parties par-ties and appear in local papers. It is important that you attend and - if you wish to be a delegate and help make decisions regarding the direction your party takes - that you bring your neighbors with you who will vote for you. Bring your friends that feel the way you do about issues such as funding public education, educa-tion, protecting children and their interests, and what legislative priorities priori-ties should be. Attend and speak up about your concerns and question candidates about their positions on issues important to our state. Crucial decisions are made before you get to a general election. Then congratulate ByK mnntW. e !: I crOC er conference f s whichever co11 tcorthef office building i ' ' ' r Paidforbyl Sh!P from corpo t0S economic devel0p,f;; eUDee numerous priVa, ;evin us2?WlUtheoffi,wdaj a , 3 want A: We anticipate her he will serve manypshe b meeting place for t for tors, developers, vj old ers. The Pleasant fit Lak Alliance (PGBA) npleti business resource ""..a sen available and will lrabou ings there. Birthd levin dings, sleepoversp'herfa and family reunird m won't be allowed - t eryon the City Council rill -.as sb to any citizen reque Her Tattryi ;of wc ,ts we rs, w uers. yourself ffi Levin but don't riious Maybe yc- loppin candidate 3 of 3 Then itkt-Jseret base of supy-ded i and get cc ; an s' maries ascriptions. ascrip-tions. Folb-The pens downi. legislature c' legislators t)N feel about Ly Being a c great r.a::.: ful state hi.1 and the n:r.entl3 is exerci-i m , won right u -TA is r-r. fix League o;::reet-r MarrL:-y as ake it ilv a WEE! (ISP UfriiUIUlilijrg- ALPINE The Planning Commission of Alpine City has approved landscaping landscap-ing designs for the pubic area surrounding sur-rounding the Carlisle Well. The designs call for improvements to the plants and trees, benches and a playground area. The area will also interconnect with the city's trail system sys-tem and provide an area for families to enjoy. AMERICAN FORK Arby's Restaurants has received approval for a facility at 937 W. State Road, in The Meadows. Mead-ows. It will be 3,700 square feet, with seating for 88, approximately the size of the present Arby's on East State Road, which will remain open. AMERICAN FORK The city's senior housing ordinance ordi-nance will be updated. The City Council and Planning Commission determined the law needs to be changed to accommodate a full spectrum of seniors, from active adult to those who need medical assistance. CEDAR FORT The Cedar Fort Town Council will conduct Town Council meeting on Tuesday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Fort Fire Station, 155 N. Church St. This is the first month on the new meeting schedule adopted in February. Town leaders will consider con-sider the possible merging of the fire department and emergency medical services teams as well as review water shut-off policies and procedures. CEDAR HILLS The Youth City Council is requesting donations of wrapped candy items, plastic eggs, or small new toys, to include at the First Annual YCC city Easter egg hunt. There is a box at the Cedar Hills City offices, where residents can drop off donations prior to April 10. CEDAR HILLS Timberline Middle School will hold its grand concert on March 11, 12, and 13 at the school. Tickets are on sale at the front office and are $5 per person, and include a preview of the gallery of fine art and light buffet at 6 p.m. with the concert at 7 p.m. Children Chil-dren 8 years and older are welcome to attend. EAGLE MTN. Eagle Mountain has hired a new Finance DirectorTreasurer. At the March 2 meeting, the council agreed to appoint Gordon Burt to the vacant position. Burt had been with a temporary tem-porary accounting agency employed by the city since October. The mayor said his work the agency on Eagle Mountain financials will give him invaluable insight to the city. HIGHLAND According to a legal opinion the Highland City Council cannot impose Sunday closing on the Kountry Korners Chevron gas station sta-tion and mini mart as part of the subdivision sub-division process. "You cannot modify modi-fy a conditional use on a subdivision H'1, CIIV administrator Porr,, ;reets ...,.,. UTA -jget approval to the tv,:-:alker Korners subdivision : So ft sion there will be a pit Gn easement between 1: ales v tion and the Jiffy asp! construction on the $:.iying ner. A car wash will be rapplic the Jiffy Lube. bbo Qown LEHI !turn Lehi historical arain-i Van Wagoner has c'art o "Lehi Veterans ScrarPhal and it is now avalroug viewing on Saturdays, to 2 p.m. at the Lehifc-16 lce Museum, 225 E. SJe two scrapbooksconta"-' 0 sive lists of warvete a multitude of news reflecting the lives a-s service men and worn? which date from the (1865-67), to the Pe (1991). atche SARATOGA SPRING5 Six Utah County S ; Deputies -and Seven ifr. Patrol Troopers condj; blitz" along State Rtd;laint wiy duministrator Barry ga Springs on iw- .utai tdwards told the council on March 3 stopped and inspected- . .y u ,c opinion or city attorney safety violations. ban, Dave Church. However, the busi- violations, issued 23 be ness will ho kiw .... ... ,oHp$n;.-, ,,ciu uj me original hours of operation including turning off the gas pumps from 11 p.m to 7 a.m. The council granted final eiaht citations, maoe- impounded one vet.. m' ad tr of the trucks from violations e sai Pleasant Grove City bond for a m 1 fVV 'Mi,,.. I ' """J m station? No, absolutely not. Vcs, all three facilities badly need expansion. Wc should bond for just the fire station. We should bond forjust the ree center. WO Vhrx.l.l I i ",u ,HUUI lorjust the library. |