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Show ommunity lews A2 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009 SPANISH FORK 280 North Main St. Spanish Fork, UT 84660 Lane Henderson Publisher Namon Bills Editor Dana Robinson . Assoc. Editor The Spanish Fork News is published each Wednesday for $37.50 per year in area and $41.50 out of area by J-Marc, 280 North Main St., Spanish Fork Utah 84660. E-mail stories to editor@spforknews.com E-mail ads to ads@spforknews.com Call us at 794-4964 POSTMASTER Send address changes to Spanish Fork News 280 North Main St. Spanish Fork, Utah 84660 The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright © 2009 Spanish Fork News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the editor or publisher. THE SPANISH FORK NEWS (USPS 024716) is published weekly for S37.5O per year by JMart Publishing, 280 North Main St., Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Periodicals Postage Paid at Spanish Fork, UT. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Spanish Fork News, 42 East 300 North, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. DEADLINES Weddings, anniversaries, missionaries, 1st birthdays, articles, photos, letters to the editor Friday, 12 p.m. I I I I I Living the Dream Newsprint Musings Namon Bills When I first heard that this year's Fiesta Days theme was "Living the Dream," I didn't think much of it. Of course it's easy to see how living in Spanish Fork is "Living the Dream." We've got it good here. I'm reminded of some friends who moved to Salt Lake a couple years ago. They had to be really careful about which neighborhood they moved into. You just wouldn't have that problem in Spanish Fork. We live in a nice town, with good neighbors, surrounded by natural beauty. In a way, our situation is ideal and idyllic all rolled into one. (Of course, my personal dream would also include a more vibrant economy, a Mini Cooper and some homemade ice cream.) But as I thought more about it, I realized I was thinking of living the lowercase-d dream, and there's a lot more to living the capital-D Dream than a Euro. pean car and some frozen dessert. As I look back at the history of Spanish Fork, ''Living the Dream" seems espe- cially appropriate as our Fiesta Days theme. Of course, Fiesta Days is based around Pioneer Day, July 24, commemorating the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. (A savvy local PR team later changed the name to Fiesta Days to give it more Southwest Spanish flair — and to encourage the sale of more nachos and Navajo tacos.) But other July dates have also played a significant role in the history of Spanish Fork, specifically, Independence Day, July 4, 1776, and later that same month, July 29, 1776, the beginning of the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition. Each of these events provides insight into what "Living the Dream" is all about: first, the dream of a nation founded on the premise of equality and inalienable rights, among which is the pursuit of happiness (i.e. following a dream); second, the dream of the early explorers, a dream of faith and discovery, a willingness to walk into the unknown with the assurance that their journey would make things better for those who would follow; and finally, the dream See DREAM • A3 Large ice cream cone 25 c eac I | Bring In this coupon and each person In your group or family may each get a large Ice cream cone for 250 | PLU# 838. Expires July 28, 2009. 795 North State Rd. 198 Salem 801.723.0500 NOW OPEN SALEM HILLS PHARMACY PHARMACIST BRENT WARREN Come in and experience your nfiffi community pharmacy. Serving the entire Salem, Woodland Hills area and beyond. ; • " > ; . ' " • Locally owned and operated to serve you ;. ,;'^)i.>>> :•/•/ • Competitive prices / Unrivaled service \' : sf-'.)^ : ?• Prescription delivery for the home-bound '"J- '^^y^f. • Refills done online, over the phone, or in person "^S-^r:':••. • Prescription transfers \>1.i.-"-fts:: "J y vv ^ - > • Compounding pharmacy (call for details) Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday Phone: 801-723-0570 • Fax: 801-723-0575 Inside Crisp's Grocery - 795 N. SR 198, Salem GOOD NEIGHBOR PHARMACY Covering what matters most Letter to the Editor Nebo School District Bond Election On June 23, 2009, We also did the folthe Nebo School District lowing: held a bond and leeway • Five public meetelection for the purpose ings across the district of addressing the con• Numerous newspatinuing, rapid growth per ads in all local paof our district. We have pers been surprised by the • Meetings with all venomous attacks by schools and PTAs some in the media and • Meetings with local a few legislators who clubs and civic groups have suggested that this (including seniors) election was somehow • Two information illegal or underhanded, flyers were mailed to eveven comparing it to the ery home corrupt elections in Iran • Flyers were sent and Honduras. These home with every student insinuations are a direct • Information was assault on the personal posted since March on character and integrity of www.nebo.edu the members of the Nebo • Election dates were Board of Education and posted on the marquee require a response. of every school • Why a June election We held two weeks date? of early voting, and acFirst and foremost commodated all voters let's establish what the with absentee ballots law in Utah is. Accord- and even offered curbing to Utah Code 20 A-1- side voting if needed on 204(1) (a) The governor, election day. legislature, or the legisWhen does citizen relative body of a local po- sponsibility kick in? We litical subdivision call- were clearly disappointing a statewide special ed with a 10 percent election or local special turnout for this election. election under Section We believe that a higher 20A-1-203 shall sched- voter turnout when votule the special election ers are truly informed on to be held on: the issue would have re(i) the fourth Tuesday sulted in a larger margin of support for this bond. in June; (ii) the first Tuesday • Why did we have after the first Monday in just seven polling locaNovember; tions? The main reason for We have been accused selecting the June date is of trying to confuse our the money that we save voters by consolidating on construction costs voting locations to just by beginning schools in seven instead of the usual February. A November 30. According to Utah date puts us back a year Code 11-14-203 "(4) in construction. But there When a bond election are other good reasons for is being held on a day a bond election at a time when no other election other than November. is being held in the loYears ago local elec- cal political subdivision tion dates were consid- calling the bond election, ered a local government voting precincts may be issue and decided upon combined for purposes by the local government of bond elections so long entity. Our past bond as no voter is required to elections have always vote outside the county in been in February or May, which the voter resides." which are much better We believe that the times for elections. But polling locations were adthe legislature changed equate and not confusing the law to allow only two to voters. In fact, as often dates and are now threat- as polling locations keep ening to change it to just changing, this was less the general election date. confusing than the 30 norThis is encroachment on mal locations. It was costlocal government con- effective and there was a trol. Having an impor- central polling place in tant bond election at the every community. Signs same time as presiden- were posted at all regular tial and senate elections polling places directing would do a disservice voters to their proper votto many of our citizens. ing location. How much attention • Did we conduct our would be paid to a bond own election and count issue during such a flurry our own votes? of issues and candidates No. The votes were as we experienced last not counted by anyone asfall? We believe that by sociated with the district. holding a bond election The Utah County Clerk as the only issue on the was asked to run the elecballot gives much more tions, but declined. He attention and debate to referred us to two private this important issue, firms, Premier Elections • Did we try to sneak and Lloyd Carr Printing, this past the voters? experienced in running As required by law, local elections throughthis bond election was out the state. These comproperly and exten- panies, along with hired sively advertised. After legal representation from months of discussion the firm of Chapman and in public board meet- Cutler, ran the elections. ings, there were three We also had vigilant overwell-advertised public sight from Utah County hearings about this elec- Deputy Recorder Scott tion. At the last one, no Hoganson. Everything one, including the Utah was done exactly accordTaxpayers Association, ing to the laws of this showed up. state. (Utah Codes 11-14- 203and20A-5-400.5.) • Did we falsely claim that there would be no tax increase? Some have suggested that we lied to voters about the tax increase associated with the bond. We stated from the beginning that this is indeed a tax increase. (See the presentation at www.nebo. edu.) But the current tax rate will not be increased to pay for this bond. Instead we will extend the life of the current debt for five more years. Taxpayers will not experience a $302 annual tax increase, but will pay the same rate for five more years. This is comparable to a growing family going to the bank, borrowing money for an addition to their home and rather than increasing their current house payment, they extend the payment for five years. Some legislators have claimed it is like extending the loan on your car for five years, which is truly ridiculous. • Is Nebo District really growing so fast in this slowed economy? This is the most important question voters should be asking about this bond. Do we really need more buildings? Our district is growing by 700 students per year, even with no new moveins. For the past 12 years we have been growing by 1,000 students per year. We already have some elementary schools that are 200 students beyond capacity and our junior high schools will be overcrowded within the next five years. In 2004 we bonded for new high schools and opened the first one in the fall of 2008. The one question we were asked over and over is, "What took you so long?" We are trying to look ahead and plan for the students of Nebo School District. We put the issue to the voters and they approved this bond and leeway. One final note. The board, is keenly aware of the economy. We also pay taxes and our families are affected by taxes. Just because a bond and leeway are approved, it doesn't mean that we are required to sell those bonds or impose the leeway. We have 10 years to sell the bonds, and we pledge to the public that we will be fiscally responsible in assessing the needs for each school before issuing bonds. We appreciate the support of our patrons in this election. We encourage you to attend our meetings and to feel free to contact us as your elected representatives when you have concerns, questions or suggestions. Sincerely, Nebo School District Board of Education: Dean Rowley, President; J. Collin Allen, V.R; Randy Boothe; Rod Oldroyd; Chris Riley; Debbie Swenson; and K.L. Tischner |