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Show mmmi IV A2 December 22, 2000 The Summit County Bee Mo About It The PrececJent To i S by Leon Slmlsttr Notice the above spelling of the second word in this week's column title is with a c" and an e." and not with an or an i". That's because I sincerely hope that the just finished marathon we called a presidential election will not provide justification for repealing another such wearying and disgusting process towards determining a win- ner. While no one is really trying to claim credits for cither the win nor the defeat, it is quite apparent, in my opinion that the blame for this poorly executed performance should lie in one of two (or maybe both, jointly) vocational venues. It falls to either that of the media, or that of the legal blood-houndsome of which apparently did cut s, their job-seekin- teeth chasing g ambulances (in. perhaps, as accurate a description for their combined. cumulative efforts as most citizens could hope to analyze). I've asked myself. Self, why did this long, drawn-ou- t mess of an Two election happen possibilities." says I. First off. the media gut trigger happy, and projected a winner based on East Coast any-wsy- (which included Florida) voter preference which came one to two hours ahead of the West Coast times for voting booths to close, because of the locations of the nation's lime datelines. As a result, we'll never know how many eligible. registered voters failed to vote because they figured it was all over anyway, so . . . what's the use?" That reason alone undoubtedly affected the entire voting process and leaves a very reasonable assumption that it altered the outcome. But. there was very little said about it thereafter, because the Cuds of Information" successfully turned the focus of the entire nation to home-i- n on the activity created by Core's and Bush's lawyers. These legal scavengers would be the second-moreason for voting st disruption, which followed the closing of the election booths. Their inane ability to keep an avalanche of dissatisfaction cascading across the nation was thereby assured. And the American public ended up confused, disillusioned and not really convinced that either candidate could be declared a clear winner. . . declared winner, yes, but clear winner, no. Given the. beyond ihiubt. eight-yea- r. proven ability of the Clinton Gang's philosophically-incline- d expertise at parsing or mangling our language, where they've changed the meanings of our words beyond our ability to dearly comprehend their original, intended definitions, has enabled them to justify virtually all of their shady ventures. So that it is no doubt that legal wrangling from huh political parties - over the election would continue until some solid thinking officials could come up with the guts to make a good call, thcre-b- y ending the confusion. The most irritating of all explanations, invariably used by the Clinton Gang to justify most of their indiscretions was that they did their thing, due to and simply because of. the fact that there . . . was no controlling legal authority. . ." My foot! The controlling legal authority is always found inside the perpetrator, but suppressed because it usually makes strong vibes for right or Or wrong. It's called g. better still - conscience. Everybody has one. hut some are better at stifling it than others. And it can be found lacking in even the most responsible of officeholders. Small wonder that there Clinton Gang afficionados con- vinced that the U.S. Supreme Court decision was a Republican political call. But. notwithstanding, did the seven Florida Supreme Court justices. appointed by a Democrat Governor, render truly insouciant opinions? Opinions, which, resul-tantlled to the need for the U.S. y. decision. One. bright, miraculous ray of hope that has emerged, however, is that democracy has a very good chance of recovering. Both parlies (and I could go on forever about the ridiculous controls which allow y debates) have taken only an oath to ". . . cooperate and work together now .. ." Hah! Sony, but I think none of us were bom yesterday, and we are quick to acknowledge that the conniving skulldug- Before lav column this week. I need to take a few lines to wish MOM time comforting me, instead of a Happy Birthday on December 28. WOW! 86 what a wonderyean of living-an- d ful full life it has been for her. One filled with devotion to her family, church and friends. She has passed on a number of her talents to family members (not saying I am one of them), such as sewing, family history. growing flowers, quilting, having a clean home, attending church, having compassion for others and putting family needs above her pwn. Her gracious mannerisms and the love she has for otlicrs combine to make her a wonderful lady" and our family is so very blessed to have her as our mother, grandmother. and friend. Although she has had some health problems this past year, her feisty" spirit gets her up and going each day. Our entire family sends her Birthday Greetings and wishes for continued health and happiness. LOVE YOU MOM!!!!! The words of a seasonal song goes Christmas makes you feel cmotionaT-an-d so it goes........ Those who know me. know I can cry at the drop of a pin. and often hormones get blamed for the situation. However, for some reason other than that, this year I have Nxn crying over everything. During the past year, I have once again lost many "dear" and special" people in my life, who I called friend. Several people in my past have died from the dreaded You would think with all the modem treatments we have, a cure could be found. ...but. 1 guess as with all tilings sometimes a cure is not meant to be. While visiting with many of er word-CANCE- these friends," one thing hat always come to the surface. It is NOT the material things of life that matter in the end...il is the time spent with family, doing good for others, taking time to laugh and play and to LOVE others... vice-vers- a. My heart has been touched repeatedly as I have heard the person speak from their heart concerning life, the respect they have for this gift and the love that radiates from within as they speak of their lives, their experiences here and their loved ones and the love they have for them. They all offered insight into everyday miracles each of us often take fur granted. The gift of health-th- e ability to walk or breathe normally, the gift of of blue skies and the colsight-lhors in a rainbow, the sound of music and babbling brooks, the smell of the baking bread and pine trees list goes on and cm and is endless. Miracles, each and every one, but in our busy lives we often don't take the time to notice. I suppose that is why Christmas has such a different meaning for me this year. As I have spent time working on the Christmas Tab and at putting the Christmas edition together, have been abic to touch on a different tone from the hectic rush normally associated with the season and I have not been as anxious to go shopping" and purchase lots of gifts for everyone." Why splurge on one day its a lot better to get surprises during die year, when a person Isn't expecting I one. I want to extend a special thanks to my son, Randee (Rambo), for coming to my office on Monday just as I was about to sit and spend king after hours getting the paper together to meet those deadlines. His wards, after giving me a big hug, were Mom, its been way too long since we have had a Mom and Son date....drnp everything and come shopping with me." Well, after a few seconds of guilt, away we went, and what fun after a very hectic day. It seems as if after children leave home, the times spent alone together are few and far between, (young mother enjoy it now while you can).-.Thason, far a great Christmas gift, that cost nk. as i gery of the political jungle has already become an accepted norm, and will remain status qua But. oh. how I hope and pray that I'm wrong. Well, America and its democratic principles have already endured for over 200 years. Perhaps its nut too much to hope for 200 more. And. while we're at it, maybe we can also hope that every Presidential election will not end up in the courts as did this precedent-settin- g episode. Maybe it's best to not dwell on the fact that the waters have now been tested and conclusions made that the temperatures found therein just barely sustain life. Hopefully, we will now be able to resist the urge to take deep, nauseating plunges into such abyssal depths every time a presidential election appears to be too close to call. Thought for the day: Striving to better, oft we mar what's well." Shakespeare. are those disgruntled and avid Although each case scenario has been different, it has never ceased to amaze me that each person shows such strength of character and courage in the face of adversity. It seems as if (hey spend their I ti two-part- Letter Thank You Sheldon Editor: Summit County loses a dedicated public servant this month when Commissioner Sheldon Richins serves out his term as Summit County Commissioner. While I was a commissioner, I had the honor of sitting beside Sheldon during long days of acri- monious public hearings and meetings that went on for endless hours. Familiarity can breed respect and affection, and I gained a huge amount of admira- a Christmas Party Farewell Bash for Commissioner Sheldon Richins, I walked into one of the offices of a dear friend, whose friendship I sure.... to find her handing me a gift she had made. When she said dont cry, or you will make me," I thought she knows me better tluui that, of course I will cry...which I did. Her thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated. Not so much for the gift, (which included 'two butterfly, because she remembered how much I love them) but that of friendship. By the way, if you are looking for THAT special last minute gift call and order a gift bouquet from SANDY and her Basket Case and More" business. It is sure to bring a smile to that special someone on it certainly worked for your list me. Last, but not least Have a Meny Christmas and a great holiday season. See Ya Next Time Keep Smilin' Jlte . Jununit County Ke Staff PUBLISHERS Mi Managing Editor LaunsWym Buys Sue Buys The Summit County ii Bee (UPSP 525-44- Puh-hihc- d weekly far $16 per year in Summit Ouinty, Senior Citizen Orcaunt, Si) in county, $21 ky Wave Publishing Inc., 165 South 100 t'ot, Hchcr City. UT 84032. PcrinJicali Poitaje Piid it Coalville, UT 84017. POSTMASTER: Send adJnM change to The Summit County Be. P.O. Box 7, CoahnUe, UT 84017. The entie content of (fas nmnpjpar h CopynghtO 2000 The Summit County Bee sncf 'or Wave Publishing, Inc AJI rights reserved. No pvt of this pubhciOon may be reproduced in any form without the written content of the Managing tdnor or Publisher. has the qualities you like to see in a public official. He is honest, he is dedicated and works hard, he has n marvelous sense of humor and he is willing to leant. He has a great partner in Nancy and the support of a fine family. Summit County has greatly bene-fitte- d from Sheldons years on the commission. LaVeme joins me in sending our thanks to Sheldon and Nancy for those yean of good service to our community and best wishes for great happiness and success in their future endeavors. Gene and LaVerne Maser HAPPY A holidays n'T vFrom N The Summit County Bee Staff! Living In Avalanche Country little and meant so very much. On Tuesday, as I was leaving the court house after attending To tMe EdiTOR tion for Sheldon during our years on the Commission together. I hive said before: Sheldon Pams PIace even begin my r Supreme Court's intervention BY AL COOPER frequency, and (2) a strong portable shovel. The first makes possible a speedy location of die victim, and the It was ten days before Christmas and the deep blue second a speedy recovery. Speed means everything. If of the winter skies added to the attraction of die buried victim is not dug out within twenty minutes, Colorado'! deep powder near Monarch Pass. Three their chances of survival decrease rapidly. Remember novice skiers left die highway for a short run on slopes too, there must be at least two beacons so that there is within sight of the toad. They ascended a short steep always one to act as a receiver in the hands of rescuers. slope in the safety of the trees so as to avoid putting Hands, ski tips, or snowshoes are not adequate digtracks on the seductive open slope they planned to ging implements. Slide snow is extremely dense and old fiance of the groups leader sets up to a concrete-lik-e descend. The consistency very quickly. For decided to traverse the open slope halfway up. She i the --victim, the sheer pressure of the snow cover is so immediately triggered an avalanche, calling out her great, even the chest movement required to breathe is partner's name once before disappearing in the flowing immediately limited, let alone arm and hand movesnow. An hour and 20 minutes later she wax pulled ment from two feet of show. Resuscitation efforts failed, and If you do get caught in an avalanche, try to move to she died, a victim of suffocation and innocence, within the side if you have a split second to take action and a few feel of a main highway. you're near an edge. Survivors have found that getting The unfortunate beginning skier in this true story free of skis or snow shoes and swimming toward the became one of the 140 or more Americans who top of the moving snow wall helps. You will not outbecome avalanche statistics every year. As back counrun an avalanche which can move at speeds of from 60 try recreation increases and formerly inaccessible areas to 200 miles per hour. Nor is a small slide necessarily s, come within the reach of snowmobilere and less deadly. It is usually the small avalanche which is those grim numbers are climbing. triggered by its victim. Even a movement with no more For those of us who live, work and play in Utah's than two or three feet of depth and less than a hundred avalanche country", it is important to know a few feet of width involves many tons of suffocating snow. things which can make our winter activities safer, and Victims have died, entombed by mere inches, someeven prepare us to save the fives of others.. times with a hand or foot still above die surface. The first word that comes to mind is avoidance. It is To summarize a few points of avalanche safety easier to avoid an avalanche titan to survive one. And worth remembering. that goes for Never enter avalanche country solo. Always experts as well. Most avalanche encounters occur because someone made a decision to maintain several hundred feet of physical separation take a risk. between team members traversing a danger area. Danger areas are those with slopes of 38 degrees or Seek the relative safety of densely forested slopes, greater, and often show signs of recent slide activity. the edges of strep gullies or ridges if unable to follow Cracks and fracture linrs sometimes outline areas of valley floors. Be always on the lookout for danger instability and evidence of layering is a dead giveaway. signals such as evidence of recent surface movement, Snow pack, temperature, wind and weatlicr conditions cracked and sunken areas and signs of layering. Stay all effect the likelihood of surface movement. out from under overhanging cornices and avoid slopes Wind-packe- d cornices and overhangs are obvious of 38 degrees and greater. Carry and know how to threats while repeated mow falls, often interspersed by use avalanche beacons. Remember that a strong shovrain and sleet storms, create a dangerous layering el is perhaps the most important tod to have with you. affect Speed of recovery is a matter of life and death. When traversing sloping terrain, try to stay within After thirty minutes of buna in snow, survival is the trees and along the edges of steep slopes. When reduced by half. And first and always... avoiding an making necessary crossings of open slopes, do so near , avalanche is easier than surviving one r the top of a danger area and most important expose On a personal basis, I pretty much know where my only one penon at a time with the back-u- p team prm-- . recent ancestors were bran, lived and are buried. All ber watching from a safe distance. Remember, valley except one. flam, gentle slopes, ridge tops or dense timber are the In I8?8. thousands of intrepid gold seekers headed north into the wilds of the Yukon and Alaska. They preferred mutes of travel. Never go into avalanche country solo. A person were mostly naive and inexperienced Chediakos", caught alone in an avalanche is totally dependent upon seduced by rtcries of wealth untdd and for self rescue, and precious few victims ever succeed at what lay before them on the Chilkoot unprepared Trail. One of digging themselves out even when buried by mere them was my great grandfather who died there in a inches of snow cover. The two most important tools greaf snow slide. His body was never found. arc: (1) an avalanche beacon, a small transceiver which A! Cooper is The. Director of can both - transmit and receive electronic signals Management for Summit County and aEmergency member of broadcast on the intrmatiorially-recognize- d 437 KHz Utah's Emergency Response Team. 20-ye- ' heli-skier- d -- , Ipooi |