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Show Demo Bubble Fizzles County Review Editorials WkREHEW June 24, 1965 (Continued from Page f'nge I One Controversy Worth Study - Now! Utahns will vote on the constitutionality of sooner than you think. It's metropolitan government. it only permits and does not academic be will In a sense, the vote On November 8, 1966, enact. But each citizens concept of how metropolitan government will effect more than abstract theory. him will naturally influence his vote If we approve the amendment Salt Lakers will see a serious drive for metropolitan government in 1967. The result could deliver us from today's confusion into modem efficient ... monster capable of proor could create an government ducing soaring taxes and dismal service. or as much controversy. Few changes offer as much potential And If we wait for 1967 to seriously study metropolitan government and Its ramifications the only possible result might well be chaos. if we have the courage and foresight to There Is an alternative grasp 1L We propose that the several governmental bodies in Salt Lake County now. gather to appoint a Joint metropolitan government commission fields several We suggest a commission of community leaders from small enough to act, large enough to act objectively. with funds from the county's various governIt should be ment bodies on an equitable basis, with enough money to permit employment of a staff to study the following questions in depth and detail: tax-financ- 1. Is metropolitan government feasible for Salt Lake County? What specific benefits could accrue and what drawbacks might exist? 2. What form of government would be most democratic and yet most efficient? depending on who they backed in the primary. will Republicans lcve Creer 1966, as they do today? Commission ChairmanJen-so- n could tilt the odds in favor of any candidate, particularly in a primary election, if he can only somehow harness the huge patronage-payro- ll of the county roads and bridges department. Jenson, however, isn't up for reelectioo and apparently enjoys no rapport The chairman may not want to test his personal influence. It was badly bruised at the last county convention. As a consequence, the department is a hot -trigue and political crissThe outs are crossing. constantly looking for a winner to support, the ins" their aggressively defend in November, Although it's considered the most desirable of political plums, the county roads and bridges department has been more of a burden than a boon for the last few commissioners who controlled it. Commissioner Larson had the department safely in us hip pocket three years ago when he failed to get nominated to run for reelectioo. C. W. Brady, Jr. was commission chairman and headed the roads and bridges department last year but found that latent power of no benefit when he began maneuvering for nomination as governor. The brutal fact is that roads and bridges personnel stay (rom one administration to the next. There's been no thorough house cleaning recently. Democrats hang-o- n, moving up or down a notch The commission should also determine the changeover method and time-tabl- e. and If the commission is appointed now there will be time to study think and hear from proponents and opponents. If the commission Is appointed now voters can decide on a specific , plan rather than a vague theory. If the commission is appointed now both sides will have the opportunity to express themselves within the objective atmosphere of deliberation, rather than the harried atmosphere of crisis. We hope that the opponents of metropolitan government will welcome and support this proposal. The momentum is here, and the ostrich will only defeat his own ends. The opinions of those now opposed to metropolitan government are of equal importance to its consideration as those of the proponents. let's act now to insure a wise The people will decide this issue based on facts not conjecture. ! de-djl- Rights Test Ends (Continued from Page tol case it ended in the street. The case has been dragging through the courts since February. The Second South house vas rented by Fern Redmon, a white woman, on February 1 after Rosemary Rad ford, a Negro, was refused as a tenant. All members of the Penetcostal Church of Apostlic Saints, the family, including 12 Negros, received an eviction notice February 9. While sadly standing on the sidewalk last Thursday, Miss Radford, pastor of the Penetcostal Church, told the Review only one member of the family had secured housing. She revealed "we have searched and searched, but many people won't take colored or children". She said she was hopeful "the Lord would find a way". And a way was provided as Walter M. Drake, 544 East Second South, offered his neighbors the use of his five bedroom home at 216 Bum Street. 1) They are the nicest people you'll ever see," said Mr. Drake, "the children are and they are good people." well-behav- ed Help also came from an unidentified L.D.S. stake official who provided a truck and helped the women move. The closely-kn- it family unit is now split into three groups. Pastor Radford is caring for almost half of her people in the Drake home. She is putting up two visiting missionaries from Idaho who were also thrown into the street last week. Financial, the unsuccessful fight has been The women have paid off a expensive. previously borrowed $300. bond tab, but still have a $298. attorney fee and $37.60 court costs hanging over their heads. Only three of the 10 adult women are working Another woman is on social securUnemployed and ity another on welfare. with young children to care for, three more women have applied for welfare since man. It has become an entity unto which is easily ofitself fended, experienced at political in -- fighting and capable of turning on its leader of the mement at the slightest pro- vocation. A powerhouse that can explode in any direction, it's a mighty unsteady foundation upon which to build a reliable political organization. And it is no longer a rich lode of campaign dollars. When Commissioner Jenson flowerfund" outlawed the even that function has presumably been Eliminated. some of the Ironically, strain between Larson and Jenson is over who controls the roads and bridges department. Jenson has it, Larson wants it although nobody could really tell you why. Political maneuvering for the next few months promises to be fascinating. The Democratic party will be wiggling desperately to slip out of the noose of its own indiscretion and, of course, the GOP will be attempting to pull the knot tighter. Misunderstanding (Continued from Page The confusion arises from 3. What specific operating and capital savings could be realized? 4. How could existing communities still retain a degree of independence and autonomy under metropolitan government, without damaging the basic concept? 5. What kind of a tax structure should exist? What are the taxes liable to be? 1) only good government candidate in sight. As their own favorites begin to appear, letter in the auditors file from county clerk Alvin Keddington Indicating that the county commission agreed to accept $1,000 term life coverage at no cost to the county or to employees starting January 16, 1963. Mr. Jones told the Review the copy this free Insurance" was actually paid from a $21,247 rebate for that same year., Mr. Keddington's letter In behalf of the county commission Informed the insurance company that it had accepted at the meeting of Wednesday, January 16, 1963, the proposal of your company to provide an additional group life Insurance for all active employees of Salt Lake County at no additional cost to the county or to employees for the next year, commencing as of as of January 16, 1963". The number of participating employees varies from month to month but during 1963 enrollment averaged about 1,300 workers. If the county did pay $21,247 for this number of employees, the premium was between $15 and $16 annually for each $1,000 policy. An actuary for the state insurance programs fluctuate according to the company and the average age of the group. He estimated that a large group of 1,000 or more with an average age of 36 years could buy the protection for about $5 to $6 per year for The dove of peace over the grand jury has turned into a Hawkes. Proposed sign over the door of the Salt Lake Police station "Statements expressed by members of this force are their own. and do not neccessarily represent the views of the management''. company, for The Inequitities Of Ousting Jones a Several years ago, a fellow named George Dewey Clyde got traffic but he at time the was He turn. an governor citation for making tmpr ipor pleaded guilty and was fined. Bracken Lee drove Many Salt Lakers remember once when Mayor J. and also at guilty to a misit pleaded through a traffic sign, got caught demeanor. We recall After appropriate publicity, the incidents were forgotten. ' no public demand for their resignations. which Monday, County Auditor David Jones must answer a county suit seeks to remove him from office. He, also, is guilty of a misdemeanor, admittedly a more serious offense, but at least not one which endangered life and limb. A few weeks ago, the Review called for Mr. Jones' official head. Now, frankly, a reappraisal of Mr. Jones' performance in office has given us some nagging second thoughts. There are convincing arguments in his favor which have not been sufficiently aired. 1.) Mr. Jooes, by those who regularly do business with public depar ments, is considered the most competent, qualified elected official in the city-coun- ty building. erf his office and exceptional administrative ability. with unusual efficiency by any standards but functions His department to other county agencies. when compared particuarly Information can be secured from the county auditor in a few minutes thats no exaggeration which may take hours or days from the Salt Lake City Auditor. Personal pressures frequently cause men to do stupid things . . . and failing to file a tax return was exactly that. Yet, there is no evidence of any similar lack of judgement in Mr. Jones performance of official duties. Not even a rumor has marred his reputation as a public administrator. There is no correlation between his personal default and his official tasks. In fact, it is generally admitted that he has performed well over a great number of years. Considering this we wonder if it's not excessively harsh to refuse to overlook one personal infraction? Where's the quality of mercy? 2.- ) More second thoughts: The auditor's office contains the complete fiscal record of all county Newsmen covering Salt Lake County enjoy unlimited access to business. the auditors files. He is always fast with the facts whatever the informano matter how unfavorable the consequences. tion being sought If Mr. Jones had chosen to be uncooperative, the records confirming the infamous bit paver expose could have been shuffled more thoroughly than a deck of cards at a Las Vegas blackjack table. Why are other transgressors so tenderly sheltered by the same officials who are attempting to shove Jones from office? Why does their ability to forgive fail them this time? If he had played evasive games with the press on those damaging files would their confidence be more enduring? Tricky little question, isnt it? 3.- ) Is there any justice? A former county commissioner squanders thousands of public dollars and walks out to take over a major department in state government.. A Utah Supreme Court judge doesnt even appear in court when he's accused of a serious moral charge. Thanks to a technicality, hes back at his old stand dispensing justice. Nobody will ever know the exact status of Attorney General Phil Hansens state income tax. He said he didn't file for several years but what happened then? The state has simply refused to say. Governor Rampton could tell us but he hasn't and probably won't. Review the list of public officials city, county and state and see if you can think of any other situations which are less than desirable. Perhaps it's the inequity that really bothers us. We believe that every public official should be completely above reproach but unfortunately that just isn't the case. Who then benefits when Jones is ousted. Judging from the general competence in other departments, we're quite sure it won't be the taxpayers and the firing won't help Jones much either. Is there any consideration for loyal public service? Jones is an elected official maybe this is a matter for the voters to decide. He has great knowledge ... 1) each $1,000 of term life Insurance. If the average age was 50 years, he said the premium could jump to as high as $11 annually. Nothing located in county record so tar Indicated the average age of the employees enrolled. The profit or commission to the agent handling th e plan also varies greatly, the Review was told. Some plans call for a six percent sales commission on the first $1,000 of business to the insurance delivered company with decreasing percentages for each additional $1,000 of the total contract. More frequent, however, Is a flat 20 percent commission on the total group contract for the first year and five percent for each year thereafter. Another common arrangement in large transactions Is for the agent to broker policies, contracting with the in- surance LOOK AGAIN LETS co- verage at a flat rate which he then sells at whatever premium competition dictates. It was also learned this week that a trust fund reportedly set up by commission chairman Marvin G. Jenson to distribute rebate money to the wishes of those participating has never been established. County auditor Jooes said he believe an ordinance will be necessary to authorise the fund. The tangle is in the fact that the 40 percent of the premium paid by the county also contributes to providing coverage for dependents of county workers who are included in the plan. The real story will emerge sometime during the next 30 days when the county must comply with a court order signed Wednesday to deliver all details, premium rates, rebates and agreements to employees. Misunderstanding might merely be due to Incomplete records available up to now -- - or It might be the next big bombshell in county shenanigans. Salary Mishmash (Continued from page lnt roads and bridges department, would lixe to see his wage rates even higher, but admits this would not be possible without exceeding budget allowances. "We have good men In many departments, because weve trained them, but we couldnt go out and hire equivalent skills for these rates," says Mr. Nerdin. The average wage rate for the county's 256 roads and bridges employees is $450 The average for the city's per month. 130 employees is $408 per month. The county paid close to $115,000 for keeping Its reads and bridges In shape during the month of May 1965, during May of last year the county coughed up $104,000 for the same purpose. Drastic increases occured in the payroll of another department of the county under the roads and bridges department the flood control group. Last year at the end of May 38 men on this payroll received a total of $11,389. The Increased flood danger and a more, ambitious program upped payroll to 80 men costing the county $28,874. Rocku Mountain 1) Both the state of Utah and Salt Lake City pay employees on a sliding wage scale. For the state there are eight increments, earned normally over a seven and one-ha- lf year period. For the city there are five increments which take seven years to reach. The county has one wage rate for each classification, which will be kept by any employee who does not advance during his term of employment. Within the county wage increases are provided by promotion to a higher skill level. Out of the county's 256 roads and bridges employees there are 43 supervisors or administrators every one out of six employees holds a title such as foreman, supervisor, or superintendent. A young man starting out with the county department with no skill would receive a beginning laborers salary of $2 28 per hour. This compares to $1.69 for the state and $1 93 for the city. Other comparable wage rates are shown for the three government bodies, translated In terms of per hour rates, on a 40 hour week or 173.3 hour month.' Open Books (Continued from Page 1) year hereafter the policy is in effect. separate section of the order caii for certified copies of any and all agreements or amendments between the county and the insurance company for the purchase of term life Insurance for employees during each of the past 10 years as well as the premium REVIEW A Published by G-Wcttrm 400 Nrw. lne Z&& Bo 1TJT7 P.O. Salt South, Lk City, Utah 4117, Phoo r-2Mambar of Utah State Prra Aaaociation. wt Et rate. MANAGING EDTTOR JOHN B. LUNSFORD Entered a aerond claaa matter at th prt offir at Salt Lake Cy, Utah, th art of March every Thursday. . utr in Pub-hM- SUBSCRIPTION RATI CARRIER DELIVERY AREA - - - - CM per OUT-SID- PeiteeoetaJ community bote manager, Fern Redmon wait bee eviction of her flock . . , wonders what neal? id E yar This includes, according to the order, the amount of commission or other compensation paid by the Insurance company, or any other person, to any person or persons by reason of the purchase by Salt Lake County of any group disability Insurance contract, or any amendments to either, during each of the 10 years Immediately The Review revealed In Issues of May 20 and May 27, the fruitless attempts to obtain information on rates, rebates and claims on Insurance for which employees pay 60 percent of the premium. During the past 10 years, rebates on the group policy have totaled more than $120,000. Employees are also attempting to track down disposition of this money. |