OCR Text |
Show Reflections, May 17, 1984, Page 3 r historic and scenic promote the many ' spots. In spite of floods and a poor economy in the county, Jack is optimistic. My philosophy has always been that success is not in never failing, but in rising each time you fall. He learned through experience that the legislative system of government is a trial and error affair. We make mistake and get embarrassed, he said. It is very hard on the ego." He learned, too, that the political system is not always an honest system. Often the honest politician is the one who is put in the position of being accused of being dishonest." As a legislator, Jack was often in trouble with his party as he continued his independent ways. I always felt that I was representing the people's views above politics, he said. At one time, early in his career, he was called aside by a senior legislator who said, "Jack, you have the attributes of becoming a statesman, but you must learn that you cant bypass the political system. Remember you've got to get elected first." As a representative, he earned the wrath of special interest groups when he supported or sponsored legislation that was to make attorneys and title insurance companies more account-fabl- e to the public, and to curb abuses of special tax exemption programs. Behind the scenes he was praised for standing his ground, by the very people who castigated him publicly. Rep. Smith found too that there is no limit to the amount of good that can be done if you dont care who gets the credit. But in the political arena it does matter to those who want to get reelected." During his tenure in the House, Jack became known as the "peanut man," beause each year he brought a 100 lb. bag of peanuts to the closing session. Peanuts had long been his trademark. I began eating them during the depression, he pointed out. "They were good, and they were cheap. When peanut farmer Jimmy Carter won the presidential election, he invited Utah's . peanut man to his inauguration. Right now the former representative is going through the most difficult period of his life, trying to adjust to the death last year of Lorna, his wife of 38 years. Like her husband, Lorna Smith was dedicated to serving others. A tall, slim, vivacious, brunette, she was a perfect foil for Rep. Smith, and once appeared on the House floor dressed as Pocohon-tas- , wife of John Smith. "A regret, of course, is that never recognized her virtues and contributions as clearly in life as I now do in her death, Jack said. During the last I weeks of her illness, he cared for her needs himself. Trying to restructure his life without her has meant immersing himself in more and more projects. In addition to his work with the Chamber of Commerce, he has been counseling with the Salvation Army, an organization he admires very much. He also presently heads the five stakes of the Tooele Regions employment program for the LDS Church. Although he is no longer in the legislature, Jack continues to speak out. Much of this is done through his writing. One of his frequent letters to the editor was read into the Congressional record by Jake Garn. Among his writings which have been published are "Letters of John (a religious correspondence between Jack and Rev. Glenn Koch); "A Tribute To the Life of Lorna Smith," and "Grants-villAnecdotes" (a humorous look at the hearty pioneer individualists of that community.) "I will continue to make my voice heard," he said. "Vocal people have to be reckoned with." He still remembers his grandmothers admonition to be independent. It is a legacy he hopes to pass on to his daughters, Nola Snedegar and Susan Waltke. I hope they will continue on, taking civic and charitable responsibility, walking their own path." Jack Smith's grandmother would ape Jack Smith has spent a lifetime living up to a philosophy of rugged individualism. An outspoken admirer of the free enterprise system and the Constitution, he views those rights as part of the heritage left by our forefathers. VIDEO MOVIE RENTALS sr 2h. $3o prove. Guard Offers Benefits The Utah National Guard has something to offer nearly every young graduate. Training, pay and bonuses have replaced the draft. In fact, bonuses can double or triple the base salary in the Guard in addition to valuable training in a civilian skill that can pay off well in the job market. Illustrating the advantages of membership in the Utah National Guard, MSG Ken Heline, the lead engineer recruiter, related two "success" stories. In the first, a young man wishing heavy equipment training visited the heavy equipment operators' Union Hall only to find he was 350th on their apprentice list, with two years to wait. an alternative, he joined the engineers of the Utah National Guard and received six months active duty As training. Subsequently he was placed first on the heavy equipment operators list due to his training in the engineers. The second story involves a young man who wanted to enter nurses training, but with a young family was unable to meet unviersity expenses. From a work associate he learned that the Utah National Guard Engineers requires medics. as a medic, a and up to bonus receiving $2,000 $9,00 in loan repayments for his studies. Furthermore, there will be additional training opportunities as an emergency medical technician (EMT). Now he is being trained The pay can be quite good for a part-tim- e job. Starting pay is $4.97 per hour for a private E-Starting pay goes to $5.57 per hour for up to one year of college or bring in three buddies. For over one year of college or bringing in five l. friends the starting pay goes to $5.79 per hour. Everyone enlisting in the Engineers may qualify for a $1,500 or a $2,00 bonus. Another major bonus can provide up to $4,000, over four years, for educational assistance for university expenses. Experience with the Engineers can help a civilian career significantly. A few people have been carefully selected to assist people in learning the Engineer story. One of those is Sgt. Jerry Justet of the Tooele Army National Guard. He can be reached at 882-288- No membership required when you rent a machine AL and LID FURNITURE-APPLIANC- E 54 So. Main 882-096- 4 |