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Show I The Facts Of Life Editorials 4 REVIEW. On Floods December 2. 1965 We Apologize by J. D. Williams The facts of life on east bench flood control were laid bare Friday night for a citizens organizing group. Dissecting the situation were Mr. Ray Leavitt, county flood control director, and engineer.. ..authors of the countys flood control plan, the A1 Sorensens, Sr. and Jr. of Caldwell, Richaards and Sorensen. The factual background was spelled out as follows: Widespread housing developments in the Mt. Olympus and adjoining areas have largely eliminated the natural small canyons and catch basins which in times past contained most of the runoff. The only right answer now is to pro- ' In this space in its issue of November 18, 1965, The Review commented on vicious rumors which accompanied discussions of an indictment issued by the Salt Lake County r: , j I 1 j ! ' j : b 7 S Grand Jury. The indictments were against two persons already charged and scheduled for preliminary hearing on offenses cited in the indictments. The editorial condemned the nasty rumor that the grand jury indictment was aimed, in fact, at possible misconduct The rumor, that editorial of a member of the judiciary continued, involves both district and city court levels of the judiciary. The Review wishes to emphasize at this time that it does not have and never has had access to any fact that would tend, even by inference, to substantiate such rumors as having basis in fact. To the contrary, The Review has such high regard for the reputations of the local judiciary and for each of its members that it published the editorial in protest apinst what appeared to be a careless dissemination of malicious gossip. Assuming that even one reader of the November 18 editorial may have misconstrued our intent to the extent of harboring the slightest suspicion that any degree of misconduct by any local judge was, in fact, even possible, The Review at this time undertakes to dispel all such suspicion. For any embarrassment that may have come to any member of the judiciary as a result of the editorial, we offer this public editorial apology and reassert our in- tention to create greater public respect of the judiciary through a greater public knowledge and understanding of the judicial function. The Review also would like to recall that the editorial suggested that Grand Jury handling of the indictments raised questions in the minds of at least a part of the public. Such as: Why were separate arrests made on indictments involving the offenses for which the accused already were in litigation? Was it because of failure of either the defense or the county attorney to have necessary witnesses on hand through several continuances? Was there any significance in having the dates of the trial set for December 28-3- 0, in advance of the December 31 Grand Jury expiration date? In response to this last question, the need to be judicious and to expedite justice has been cited as the sole consideration for the trial date. think I can... think I cam... I tKuik I can Gardner Quits (Continued from page 1 THE ) Items in 1965 was $389,432 as compared with the proposed budget total. The budget schedule shows under salaries and wages: supervisory salaries, two persons, $16,800; two office employes, $14,000; a watchman, $3,000; seven ordinary laborers, $62,790; eleven truck drivers, $55,543; and 29 skilled laborers, $59,685. $49,550 capital outlay, the proposal Caterpillar, a dragline and a backhoe. The shows, includes costs of a D-- 8 Other expenditures as porposed include: electrical power, $1,489; motor vehicle supplies, $3,175; equipment simplles, $9,875; gas, oU and grease, $3,150; ce tools, $980; maintainance, repair and replacement of culverts, $27,900; of curbs and gutters, catch basins and grates, $10,450; Jordan River maintainance, $17,123; rentals, $4,261. Other costs include employes group insurance, employes reUrement and Social Security. Commissioner Jenson insisted that it would be unrealistic and confusing to attempt to administer and finance Flood Control separately from Roads and of the flood control Bridges when the manpower, facilities and know-ho- w program are Roads and Bridges manpower, facilities and know-hoHe said he could not understand how the same men could be used for two separate function, serving two masters. rjonnirjG J1F7ER de tug-of-- (Continued from page 1 ) has all the work, be needs all the money to finance it with." w. Letters Editor . So-cal- led - Support Your Local Police" reads a bumper sticker , frequently seen these days! We concur thoroughly with the spirit of this slogan. We believe that both Salt Lake City and County need the best police protection and law enforcement possible. The real spirit of support includes constructive criticism when called for. Law enforcement is a tough job, and while idle harping on inconsequential defects would be wrong, public scrutiny of the operation of both municipal police departments and the county sheriffs department is in order, for the purpose of improving both area. For the past several years, since Cleon Skousen became Chief of Police in Salt Lake City, there has been a determined program of increased security of police records. The primary and apparently, only worthwhile effect has been the supression of information available to newsmen. After alert police reporters found evidence of sloppy record keeping, reporters were eliminated from access to the records bureau. It doesnt happen that way throughout most of the West. of dispatchers proved embarassing to The chit-ch- at sensitive police administrators. The press was sealed from the dispatcher area. Succeeding chiefs of police have closed area by area, door by door, until only the command level officers have freedom of expression before the press and some of them have been taken to task for press cooperation. Recently the friend of an elected city official was threatened withembarrassment by police action, which belatedly came to the attention of the press because of a peculiar technique in writing of an otherwise routine report. Because of this incident, a large portion of available police report , information was diverted from press scrutiny. The onlyembarrassmentsever experienced under the police administrations before Chief Skousen were those to police officers who had used improper procedure and bad judgement in their function Since then there has been no effort to keep from the press even slight details that would prove embarrassing to anybody except police officers, administrators or public officials who may control police budgets or influence. until a civil action brings it to light.... Hiding a dcgbite may seem of minor importance. What else is being hidden? The only chance a stifled press has is chance rumor. While police administration is demonstrating its concern for reputations, It micht ask the extent of suspicion and damage it reflects on those of its officers whose conduct is held so secret as to demand suspicion and distrust. When are the people of Salt Lake City going to weary of a press control that is unmatched in any major city in the west.... that certainly is unmatched by the neighboring t County Sheriffs department. ...which continually suffers embarassnient rather than supress information. If there's no dust under the rug, let's roll it up and a look. take ; ... 1 de This is all very interesting, Sam. But if it isnt too personal, what is John gonna do with all his spare tire? Hows that? Oh! Hes gonna go on a talkin Junket for Kiwanls International in favor of slashin waste in local government. Hah! Hah! Youre what? Oh, youre bein funny. Sure, I get it, Sam. Now, Sam, tell me what you called about. Ive got a tough assignment You say Marvs gonna give John Roads and Bridges? Come off it, Sammy, boy. Marv musta been sparrln with Gene again; or maybe To The you have. As I said, Sam, The Review wants me to do a yarn showing a unit of then wandering on into the evening inDear Sir, This may not be in the best literary structing parents with an Insight into what Salt Lake County thats run with exemplary You catchin my cold, Sam? efficiency style, but it is sincere and from the heart. you are doing. I can understand why you changed your Picture planning before the A M. bell Yeh, I know. I could take any unit of rings and after it rings at P.M. plus county government and show how it COULD publications name from Holladay Neighbor week-enincidental planning laced in De efficient. But that Isnt what the boss d to Rocky Mountain Review. Your Rockthrowing reviews of teachers have been with your "Days-of- f. , ordered, Sam. Tell me, though, Sam, why Picture friendly chats in grocery stores would Marv give-u- p all that patronage anything but friendly. . . . m Of course I realise you operate wider Slid church about "Johnny's progress plus in Roads and Bridges? social,'. I '.measure from the deiHes jrihAt1 "freedom d the press button ajiaWulljr the, Jibes. yoiUakeIranv unaware of any behind the scepewikowr ZrWPS.. aopportx,, .least thefir part .bf ItnYomreid those ity to indulge. things they said about Marv and BUI, ledge of school activities. Would you exchange your exhalted stone- didnt you? WelL Senator Mosss been Perhaps working with stereotyped Printing Presses all day doesnt give you throwing position tor that of the stoned? in town and he said I doubt it - and I doubt also that this an Insight into human nature. Whos in town, Sam? Oh! You mean Ted. Picture yourself working a steady six will ever be published. "I mean Frank.. ..Frank E. Moss, senior hours with 43 squirming youngsters, tryVery honestly yours, senator from the grand old state of, ing to instill decent principles into their and all that, you know. The Senator.... Barbara L Ivie, teacher thinking along with the three Rs in a 1170 Hyland Lake Drive after all, Jim, we gotta watch out for stepped-u- p modern space-ag- e program. contempt of Congress, especially when were talkin over the telephone. FCS rules and all that. Anyway, The Senator says the partys in trouble if we dont get together in the county commission. Sort of set a good example for those good Democrats who want to be sheriff, you know. The Senator says that if Marv and BUI give those 23 Jobs to John, like it says in the dailies, it might look like theyre givin in under pressure; thatd make it look like they were wrong in takin The shock of a second tragic air crash within 16 days in It away in the first place; and notedy this normally placid valley numbs the sense of realization. thinks theyre wrong at all. With Even the most inspired pen would be unable to find words already pickin and choosin for the June convention, it would be to assuage the grief of 12 families. better for the party if John took the Since, indeed, no man is an island, the loss is ours initiative and offered his shirt or Finance. ...to Bill. That would show there as fellow citizens of this community. Salt Lake County IS party unity in the county comm 158100. has lost five young doctors, a few barely on the thresWhat about that pressure angle, Sam? hold of their professional careers - two businessmen and Tm gettin' to that, boy. ' The Senator a lawyer. An airline has lost one of its founders and his comes up with the idea that if Marv gives John all that patronage, all this talk daughter. about pressure would collapse; and it the families we add our sympathies to those of a would make Marv look good. Isnt that saddened community. clever thinkin, Jim, boy? Whats Marv gonna do? Well, Jimmy, I dont know, really. But someone was sayin that being chairman of the Commission and all, maybe he should take back the spot with the Salt Palace bunch. Words goin around that now that all (Continued from page 1 ) the problems of the Taj Mahal of Justice have been solved Did you get that, 13. How many automobiles are under 1. What are the basic functions of the your Jurisdiction.. ..where are they Jim, boy? Taj Mahal of Justice? Ollie serviced.... how are they paid for? tycCulloch came up with that one. Oh, department? 2. How many people are employed, In 14. Are all purchases funneled through he told you about it0 Anyway, with all the publicity John got on the Taj what capacities and of what levels the purchasing department? Mahal, the Senator thought it would be of skill? 15. How many telephones are under a good idea of Marv devoted all his time 3. How much service Is carried on your Jurisdiction? for be city and for city residents 16. What Is the organization of the to the Salt Palace well, you know about that sort of thing. 4. What Youre not come facilities under department....how many physiol the departments Jurisdiction? are within it, what are the fakin this stuff down, are you Jim0 You dont wanta get me fired Chuckle! 5. What capital improvements are felt channels of command? 17. What statutory limitations exist. If Chuckle! I Just thought you might want necessary by .the department heed to develop something along these lines, tor the coming year. ...for the next any, that impair your function... What changes in comity government you know. year? I dont know about that Sam i. What could the deportment do with a would you suggest that might make Maybe you should turn this one over to the dailies la rge r budget wha t would happen to more less Job effective, costly, your You know the policies of the Peview. we the depa rtment if the budget were cut provide more service or be more take a dim view of controversy in governby ten percent, 20 percent....! e. efficient. ment. to be: what services would have to be eliJim Baldwin main-tainan- , Whats To Hide?? vide main trunk lines and the lateral feeder system of storm drains which will gather the water in the subdivisions, deliver it to such remaining channels as Cottonwood, Mill Creek and Parleys Creek, and then carry it to the Jordan River and out to the Lake. Storm drains in the feeder system cannot be constructed in areas like the Mt. Olympus subdivisions until the trunk lines have been laid below along such arterials as Highland Drive, Casto Lane, 27th East, 39th South and 45th South, and Wasatch Boulevard. The lower areas (below Wasatch Boulevard) thus have a higher priority in the flood control plan as an engineering necessity. The problem is county-wid- e, and includes areas in Salt Lake City (as the upper avenue residents will remember from the August 1945 floods, and south central residents will remember from the May 1952 floods.) The problem demands a county-wisolution, not a piecemeal attack where neighborhood is pitted agianst neighborhood in a political for priority listing. Such a county-wiplan is now ready, waiting only the financing, the will to do, and the sound administrative framework to oversee the work. The county flood control director asked the County Commission for $10 million for thirteen Priority I projects in 1966. In addition to financing the main trunk lines below the request included $800,000 to start some of the feeder arteries in the Mt. Olympus area (but would not include all of the laterals required for complete storm drainage east of the Boulevard). With the County Commission unwilling at this time tp bond for $10 million, the flood control director then submitted proposals for the expenditure of the $1.6 million which the 2 12 mill flood control levy raises every year. No part of the sum would be spent east of the Boulevard during the coming year because of the necessity of first building the large trunk lines below. It was reported that all of the $1.6 million raised in 1965. (ezoopUfcr the had $80C(Q00 project kn 4?th J Small been fKssipeted jjee and flood after math. Wryear precis and $1.3 million have been dissipated without any real progress of flood control. It would now appear that it will take from 10 to 11 years (assuming proper expenduture of the (1.6 million per year to afford the Mt. Olympus area adequate storm drainage. The earliest estimate would be 1971 under the most favorable assumptions. Then why not bond and get the Job done and now and done right? $10 million could-- : raised and paid off via the existing 2 12 mill levy without a penny increase in taxes. There is reluctance in some quarters to approach the electorate for such a general obligation bond on the heels of the recent bond Issues for the civic auditorium and the citys capital improvements program. Voter distrust arising from Hie yearlong squabbles on tne County Commission and the dissipation of the existing flood control funds might also make it tough to carry a bond election. The administrative setup for flood control in county government was then discussed. Burying the program in the Roads and Bridges Department has stifled initiative and permitted diversion erf funds to low priority projects. While there seems to be a developing consensus on removing the program from Roads and Bridges, a debate ensues on whether the flood control director should report to a single Commissioner who does not also supervise Roads and Bridges (the Deseret News proposal) or to the full Commission. What about controlling future subdivision developments above the present Mt. Olympus homes until adaequate storm drainage is in being? Isnt the county courting disaster by permitting more homes to be built before the drainage system is in. Here indeed is Mr. Churchill's conundrum wrapped in a riddle and shrouded in mystery. The subdividers have an idle investment in the land on which they must pay annual taxes (at subdivision, not agricultural rate). If not permitted to sell, they are taxed without receiving either income or benefit. But if permitted to sell and build on their lands, these subdividers destroy more natural drainage and intensify the runoff problem. The answer to the problem clearly seems to be: Get the storm drainage system installed (implement the flood control plan) quickly and let the subdividers proceed. While no votes were taken at the meetconclusions seemed ing, the widely-share- d The Sadness Of A Second Tragedy County Government 7. 8. 9 10 minated'1 What controls exist within the in 11. 12 Justification of each item beyond salaries on list of expend.tures. How (1) de- partment to insure efficiency? Are there any controls to insure use of the facilities of other departments for services, e g duplicating and other office services, automobile services, etc. How many people were employed at the end erf 1964. If changes in level erf department employment durir the year, what is the Justification' Is employment in the department based an patronage' What was the turnover when the Democrats came much duplicating equipment is under your jurisdiction? Where is it located0 k'"REnW (2) published every Thursday by Great Western News, Inc Circulation Advertising Offices at 2245 South West Temple. Salt lake City. Utah 84113 Phone: Entered as second class matter at the Post Office at Salt Lake Ciy Utah under the act of March 9, 1878 487-74- Co- - Posenblatt and Managing Editor Puhlisher-Stephe- n Norman Editorial Staff: -- Joyce Stmit Gene Townsend Jim. Baldwin Advertising Manager- - w ilfred Gee Manager-Ma- e Productmn-leie- h Iiem Stark (3) . Carrier subscription $3 00 Mail Subscription $5 20 per per year (4) year Member: Utah State Press Ass elation American Newspaper (5) -- We have a county-wid- e flood control plan and it should be implemented at once. That calls for an early push for a $10 m.llion bond issue, utilizing the present 2 12 mill levy without any further taxes to pay off the bond Administration of flood control should be made independent of the County Rneds and Bridges Department, with a Priorities and Allocations Committee to suggest priorities In any flood control budget to the County Com- mission. Peforms are badly needed In the pro cessing of subdivision plats by county departments so that no agency feels, its hands are tied by the prior action of another Intelligent citixen action now may help greatly in bringing flood control and storm drainage into being before 1971. |