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Show Page 2 - S. L. Neighborhood NewsAdvertiser Salt Lake County Government Study Commission Holds Series Of Public Meetings for Input The Assessor said he does not favor any move to centralize by Tim Funk The Salt Lake County government. Government Study Commission has been investigating local government modernization through a series of regular weekly meetings being held in every part of the county. Each week a different speaker with expertise in some area of local government addresses the study commission and the interested citizens attending the meetings. Two of those speakers in recent weeks have been Salt Lake City Commissioner Conrad Harrison and Salt Lake County Assessor Earl Baker. He thinks local elected officials "should maintain what power they have." And that it should not be "given away piece-by-piece- ." Some county offices merely conduct "housingkeeping operations" he said, but even those should be retained to keep government closer to the people. Costs of consolidating Salt Lake City and County government might well be higher than operating the two separetely but living standards are sure to improve "throughout the county" if it happens. Salt Lake City ASTRO-ANAIVS- Sonia McGinnis HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 15, 1973 geographically, but segregated may have brought some of its problems upon itself said the commissioner. With some foresight he explained the Salt Lake City Assessor Speaks modernization study group studies which document this the commissioner stated "there is no doubt about double taxation or its Baker told those attending a LEO July results from the organizations assessor upholding the state constitution as it is written claimed Baker. "I am not an enemy of the church," he proclaimed, further stating that he was proud of his Morman heritage. generations-old About the possibilities of modernizing county government Mr. Baker said any change would make little difference to his office and operation as it now exists. tax assessment duties for the cities and towns in Salt Lake County are not consolidated under the County Assessors office said All Mr. Baker. Any new local government structure would have little effect on that office, unless, he warned again, the office is made appointive. 21 21 22-Aug- October You will advice now. making commitments in writing, you AQUARIUS 19 January Dont force accomplish more by doing your ideas on others. Work investigation work. Look quietly and conscientiously into all the aspects and in the background and details. A good week to get concentrate on getting the everything assembled for job done. You can gain confidence of superiors by future plans. showing loyalty. VIRGO August 22 - SepMechanical PISCES February tember 22 20 Dont be too devices may be temporarily on the blink, but dont let quick to judge the actions of petty annoyances get the others; your ability to see best of you. Get involved in both sides of the situation in some worthwhile cause this an objective manner is week that can be personally required. Be ready to work harmoniously with cohorts. rewarding. them." labor union and benevolent SCORPIO Avoid .nothing from Instead, Mr. Baker insisted, "The county assessor is the people's advocate between the state tax commission, the tax laws, and the constitution of the State of Utah." As an elected official the assessor is free of outside restraints that, Mr. Baker says, might well be placed upon him if the office were an appointive position. The "assessor is answerable only to the public", says Mr. Baker. "The law tells me what to do and I do exactly as the law says." The office must always remain, elective for that reason he told the group. Any attempt to make it appointive would leave it open to "possible misuse or abuse." Recent "quarreling" between Mr. Baker and commissioners over tax exemptions for certain church, plan or project but the outcome will be well worth the effort put forth. Spirits are exception- Spend some time with ally high this week. This friends this week. They can can be the ideal time to get play an important role in started on that dream increasing your social youve been contemplating. circle. Get in touch with comes that important person who Accomplishment easy as confidence is ex- can assist you with your ceptional. expansive ideas. CAPRICORN December CANCER June 22 - July 21 New beginnings are 22 - January 20 Get in predominate. The pace is involved civic affairs and recreational moving much faster so be postpone alert and aware so you dont activities for time being. Be let that important op- willing to give assistance to one who may need your portunity pass by. take no instructions, no . your part. You may have to work harder on that special 21 government modernization study meeting at Brockbank Jr. High in Magna that his office "doesn't work for the commissioners. . .we suggestions. requires more effort on w. between areas said the told the local government 23-Octo- be temporarily off keel. Use your ideas more effectively the week for clearing up during the first part of the that clutter youve allowed week so dont waste time. to accumulate. You can Get things moving. Use successfully entail the help ingenuity and know-hoof another. SAGITTARIUS t NovemGEMINI May 21 June ber 22 - December 21 "interlocal" taxing conflict exists commissioner. Citing several LIBRA September 22 The week at things objectively may be in a position to project a Commissioner Conrad Harrison Tuesday night June 1 2. behind-the-scene- city might have accepted a request by what is now South Salt Lake to be annexed to the city. The city refused the request and lost the revenues now coming to the highly industralized south Salt Lake area. "If we had accepted the request of Canyon Rim (for annexation) the city might be out to 70th south today," added the commissioner. County Striking an independent note on the eve of Independence Day, Salt Lake County Assessor Earl ARIES March 21 - April 19 Good planetary aspects indicate good harmonious romantic encounters. Be wary, hows ever, of activities which could lend a confusing slant to things. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 Your capacity to look politically." Instead, presently, I IS Study Commission listens to citizens. 20-Mar- ch Meeting with the Salt Lake problems." County Government Study Commission in a session at Skyline High School, the Commissioner Health pointed to the city-count- y department agreement as an example of what is possible with an area wide authority. More equal taxation would be another result of consolidation said the commissioner. Incorporated city residents in Salt Lake County pay more for certain services than those in the unincorporated areas explained the commissioner. He compared the county's situation to that of Nashville, Tenn. and said consolidations there had brought about a more equitable taxation of all residents in the city and county. At the same time Government operating expenses in Nashville increased after consolidation, the commissioner noted. Recalling the long history of opposition to consolidation in the state legislature the commissioner told the study group not to become too discouraged, if their recommendations which come due in March, 1974, are not accepted right away. "The effort to get this far has taken along time." He said the study group may eventually be successful "and come up with a plan that will erase these invisible boundary lines that make the city and county integrated socially, economically and Double taxation or the "interlocal tax structure" in simple terms, relates to the concept that for certain municipal services residents are taxed by both incorporated and unincorporated authorities the city and the county. Talking about various alternate forms of government the commissioner said he isn't "too concerned with separation of Another Public Meeting For Study Commission executive and legislative" functions in any form. He pointed out that local government is a creature of the state legislature and can only do what it prescribes. Local governing is very limited in that way he says. "What could the legislature do to increase the effectiveness of local government?" the commissioner was asked. He s uggested a more annexation law, "one permitting the city to initiate annexation" would be the most up-to-da- te helpful thing. He also said cities could use help from the state legislature in meeting their financial problems. REPUBLICAN TEAM Before the last election, Eisenhower and Nixon were the only Republi- can president-vic- e presi- dent team that were ever elected twice. Mr. David Brinton, Manager, Salt Lake City Suburban Sanitary District no. 1 , will be the featured speaker at the next weekly public hearing of the Salt Lake County Government Study Commission, to be held on Tuesday,- July 17, in the modernization of Salt weekly meetings at schools throughout Salt Lake County. The Government Study Commission will complete its recommendations in February, 1974. Preliminary plans will be adopted in August, 1973. (Lake Following this hearing at County Government. The Salt Lake County Government Study Commission, established by law under Senate Bill No. 184, which outlines the options available to all of the State's Counties. Merger of Salt Lake City with the County and the use of council and elected county executive, rather than a commission, are two of the options under consideration. Feeling that it is vitally important to obtain citizen input three-membe- r process, the Study Commission has scheduled - 7:30 p.m. at Cottonwood High, 5715 So. 13th East, in Room 601. The public is encouraged to attend and contribute ideas for the decision-makin- g Cottonwood High, the next will be at Granger High School, 3690 South 3600 West, July 31 , 1 973, at 7:30 p.m. Future hearings and speakers will be announced through all media. The public is always welcome. Questions related to the Government Study Commission's activities may be addressed to its offices in the County Complex, 151 E. 2100 South, Bldg. no. 4, telephone no. 328-702- 8. |