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Show Ooraioos less than Should be typed words, signed Letters: and include address and phone number (number wop t be with full double-space- 400 d, name, published). Direct questions to Flint Stephens, editorial page editor, March 2, I989.4 IFfi XL : ; High Geneva wages buy worker loyalty imM W M Throughout the controversy over dean air in Utah Valley, a few people have said the valley can get by without Geneva and the jobs it provides. Whether or not the valley needs Geneva's jobs, it is obvious that local residents want them. A week ago, Geneva announced it would be hiring 60 workers. The next day, the company passed out nearly 2,500 applications. works out to 41 That people applying for each opening. Undoubtedly there were others who would have applied if they had learned about the openings sooner. Interestingly enough, mos of those people standing in line already A had jobs. They generally weren't the type whose unemployment benefits ran out, forcing them to get serious about looking for work. For several months, Utah Valley jobless rates have hovered at about 4 percent. For many businesses, "help wanted" signs are permanent window fixtures. If there are plenty of jobs to go EVERYTHING. THEN I GOT AN ASSAULT RIFLE... Herald comment around, why are people willing to stand in line and compete with 2,500 others for a. chance to work in a steel mill? It is generally twell' accepted that Geneva pays its workers better than most if not all valley employers. Obviously many are willing to give up the jobs they have if they can get better pay and benefits by working at Geneva. Undoubtedly it is not just a coincidence that Geneva's workers have been staunch defenders of the firm when it has come under attack from clean air advocates and other groups. Those higher wages are one reason Geneva workers are loyal to their employers. Perhaps all our .businesses can learn a lesson from an aging steel mill. Workers place a higher premium on wages and benefits than on work environment or "attaboys." Feedback Mayor praises winter road crew Editor, Herald: As mayor of Woodland Hills, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding work done on the maintenance of our roads during this severe winter. Woodland Hills, with its lovely setting in the foothills of Loafer Mountain, receives abundant snowfall each year. So far during the winter of we have measured 124 inches and we expect coming spring storms to bring us more in the next two months. Our snowplow driver, Dennis Terry, under the direction of Superintendent of Roads Diane Gibb, has kept a constant vigil on the condition of our streets since the snow began to fall in November. Mr. Terry has spent many, many long hours clearing snow, sanding intersections, widening streets and corners, opening up unused roads at the request of property owners and supervising the repair and maintenance of our snow removal equipment. For most of the winter, our roads have been absolutely dry! There is no buildup or ruts caused by in cur town. Because of the dedication of Mr. Terry and Mrs. Gibb, Woodland Hills has the best maintained roads in Utah County. Dennis A. Johnson 1988-198- 9, ce Woodland Hills Many ignorant about Swapp case Editor, Herald: Although the SingerSwapp case was highly publicized, I still find ignorance to hold supreme precedence when discussing the topic. I have followed this melodrama since the brutal murder of John Singer in 1979. Remember that? Vaguely? You've probably heard a short recap of it relating to the death of Fred House, an Orem corrections officer. Remember that? Of course you do and that's why you all hate the SingerSwapp clan. Now, I am not an advocate of polygamy. I do believe, however, that a man doing no harm to anybody should be left alone. When John Singer was shot nine times, nobody cared. When a cop is shot, the town falls apart. If I were Jonathon Swapp I might think "an eye for an eye," but I am not that closely involved. I feel two wrongs don't make a right. What do the people of Utah Valley think? Is a dead police officer any more important than a dead farmer in Marion, Utah? They were both human beings and I'm sure that neither of them wanted any harm to come to anyone. But now Jonathon Swapp is in jail for negligent homicide. Where is the man who shot the elder Singer? I assume he is free because anyone who rids the earth of "their kind" is doing us a service, right? Wrong! In anywhere but Utah, that man would be in jail. I don't believe that Jonathon Swapp is y at all innocent, as killing a man, or otherwise, is against the law and he is being punished. But people should know that out there is a man who shot John Singer, in cold blood, in the back no less, and will never have to pay for it. I must tell you that I am in no way a follower or believer of Jonathon Swapp's religion. In fact, after reading his latest letter to the editor, I wonder why I feel the pity for him that I do. He is acting like he is a prophet of God. I have confidence that there is no God who would appoint a person as a prophet who shoots at people and bombs church acci-dentl- buildings. As his wife, Anne Swapp, said, the public probably sees Jonathoin Swapp as a "religious fanatic who was involved in a killing." After that last soapbox sermon with all of its yeas, woes and thou's, he is beginning to sound just like a fantica1 pseudo-prophe- t. There is minimal, if any, credibility behind a man, no matter how good he may be, who is in jail for homicide and speaks as if he is living in a fantasy world dated 2000 A.D. I am not Mr. Swapp's friend, nor am I his' enemy, but merely an innocent bystander watching an extremely biased community shuffle out what they feel are the bad eggs. Wendell Zink Provo Jim Nasium Provo Brent Morris showed courage Editor, Herald: I am writing to add my voice to the praise that is due Commissioner Brent C. Morris for his courageous and timely call for Geneva to clean up its act. I have lived in Provo for over 20 years ...TH3 PResiDPdT WiNTeD TO SP6NDWR9 APNV oN EDUCATION ,eNVIfcpNIVNTAL PRplecTiON AND , THe dru7 war social P&RAMS WITHOUT RAISIN'S WITH THAT, INTO I If I Mztk TAX'S. TH9 6N19 LAMP JUST LAUGHeD AND LAUSHD... lis csca G2 and have watched the pollution in the valley increase steadily in that time, but most dramatically during the period since Geneva reopened. Although I live some distance from the plant, very often when I open my door in the morning I can actually smell the foul air that fills our valley, a fact which explains why I spend a significant amount of time coughing and gasping for air. It's not as though it were a question of Geneva or clean air. It's possible with advanced technology to have both. Clean air may cost money, but Joseph Cannon said in his recent address at the clean air symposium that Geneva was willing and able to spend the money required for the technology to eliminate the pollution. Clean air must be considered a necessary operational expense, as necessary as the ore, the furnaces, or any other part of the business. The chief health hazard we are enduring in Utah Valley comes from particulates, especially PM10, which in January at the Lindon monitoring station, exceeded the EPA 21 hour standard of 150 micrograms per cubic meter 10 times. The effects of PM10 are many: it inhibits respiratory function, aggravates existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, damages lung tissue, alters the body's defense systems against foreign materials, and in extreme cases, can cause premature death. Some of our citizens are more vulnerable to its effects than others. Children, the elderly, those who suffer from chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, asthma or influenza are especially affected by it. I appreciate the efforts Geneva has made so far to control pollution when it because a little girl in her class was telling everyone that she hated my little girl. My first reaction was to crossly tell this girl that I don't like what she is doing. Another reaction was to tell my daughter to be mean back to her. But then I told her what I feel as a parent and adult was right. I told her to compliment this girl and tell her things she likes about her. I told her she should even write her a note. I am not sure wh;t she did, but I know they talked about playing after school the next day. Well, we as fans of BYU need to need to do the same with comments about .Wyoming. I think that we should give the team a very positive welcome. We should; smother them with positiveness and hope .that they can return the favor next time. Why not creale a rivalry of who can outdo the other team in showing them a good time? I felt that "what" the pros are doing with Kareem is an excellent exand feel ample. We still want the rivalry, but 'we. can also stand on' mutual ground.! I .will be watching" the BYU team to see if they can be a catalyst in starting something good. If we don't then it will only get worse. Moroni said, "Fools mock, but they shalt mourn." Let us not become a fool. Julene Dotson Springville the-wi- . Valtek didn't authorize ad Editor, Herald: In a recent advertisement paid for by the support group "Friends of Geneva Steel," Valtek Incorporated was listed as a supporter of Geneva Steel. Valtek is in no way connected with this group, nor was permission granted to use the company name in this advertising campaign. Although Valtek takes no official position in recent controversies concerning Geneva Steel, we support the promotion of gainful employment in the valley, as well as respect for our environment, neighbors and community. Philip L. Skousen Director Corporate Communication full-pa- ge has exceeded government regulations. But why wait to take action until forced to by EPA regulations? If Geneva wants to be considered a responsible operation and a benefit to Utah Valley, why not be ahead of regulations why not move now to eliminate PM10 pollution. I was impressed with Mr. Cannon's record as he reported it in his speech at the conference, and I am convinced that he can solve the pollution problems of Geneva if he will devote the same drive and energy to this cause that he did to getting the lead out of gasoline. But timing is all important. Let's not have another winter of breathing damaging particulates. It seems the ball is in Geneva's court, and I am willing to applaud the play if they will make it and clean up the air Editor, Herald: we all breathe. In answer to the letter to the editor All who are concerned about the air about the school bus driver who took a we breathe, should make themselves load of kids back to Farrer Junior High. heard on this important issue. Our electI am the driver who did this. If the ed officials on the county, state, national same circumstances come up again I level should know that we expect their will do it again. I am that concerned help in solving this problem. about the kids who I am to transport Mae Blanch safely to and from school. Provo Unless you have driven a school bus or been an aide on one there is no way you can be aware of what goes on. We have rules for the safety jf the kids on the bus. The parents and grandparents who criticize without getting both sides Editor, Herald: of the story would probably be the first I was very disturbed to read of the to sue if their child were injured on a details of the abrupt treatment given to bus because mles weren't 'enforced. BYU by the Wyoming team and fans. I am amazed at the number, of experts My first reaction was how can the BYU we have in the Provo SchtfCl District. fans make them feel just as rotten when Most of these people nevej" drove a they come. Then I thought of my school bus but they know exactly how to handle the problems. In school the other day they were I challenge Mrs. Selby to psoVe that talking about feelings and she stated she has a better safety record than I. I that in the Book of Mormon it tells us to have been a professonal driver for 47!,2 turn the other cheek when our feelings years. This includes more than five are hurt. This, of course, is also taught years on school bus, two years for in the Bible. (who I , drive for during Greyhound Last week she came home feeling bad summer, Christmas vacation, etc.) Dur Bus driver says he'd do the same fans should be examples BYU -- ing this 47V: years I have never had an accident on the road, or never had a ticket for breaking any laws. I am concerned about your child's safety. That is why I try to make them sit down and obey the rules. I still have ' a lot to learn so I invite parents or; grandparents who know it all to come-ridwith me for a month and show me' ' llow to do my job. James Butterfield . Provo e Paper carriers deserve respect Editor, Herald: My son and my daughter are both carriers for The Daily Herald. They are 13 and 11 years respectively. They have a desire to do a good job and in many cases go out of their way to do just as their customers request. . Over the past year and I have met with some very rude, inconsiderate people. I have tried to teach my children, the customer is always right. Be respectful, even when they are rude to you. Because as I have tried to instruct these children these important principles, I have seen adults be so unfair, that I don't know if my children can hear what I am saying because their customers setting such immature, examples. These boys and girls make approximately five cents per day for each newspaper they deliver. About $1.40 of every $6.75, paid per month is given to these carriers. They are responsible from that $1.40, for buying their own rubber bands, they pay one cent per plastic bag, they furnish their own carrier bag, at $9, they must pay for insurance and bonding. So we figure e their pay is approximately $1.50 to $2 per night. Rolling and delivhours per ery take close to night. The pay is poor. But, in teaching responsibility and integrity, and important things of life the pay is great. Those are indeed the things I desire my children to learn from this paper route. These children have gone out, or I have driven them in much below zero weather this year, night after night. They have tromped through entire routes where no one has bothered to shovel the walks or steps. They have had docs chase them and hitp the They have tried to figure the best place to put your paper to keep it dry when you do not have a paper box .available through The Herald), they will place your paper at your convenience, if you will only take the time to tell them one-hal- f, take-hom- where you would like it. They will be glad to collect when it is convenient for you, if you only tell them. If there is a problem with something they are doing, please take the time to call and tell them of the problem, and work out a solution together. These children want to make you happy and be of service to you. There are times they may be negligent, per-Jia- missing your paper or getting jt wet. There are no excuses, except that they are children and learning. But instead of calling in complaints to the paper, or yelling, and refusing to pay for your paper, take the time to talk as an adult with your carrier. It would be nice if occasionally, there were a compliment for them, or your bill was ready and waiting with the correct change and you met them without, their returning over and over. Dalene Hurst Spanish Fork |
