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Show - LIA WASATCH COUNTY COURIER | : | DECEMBER 27, 2000 id an i ei Cross at Your Own Risk train accident last Wednesday reminds tragic he | them. from?” ed. How about stationing a railroad ~ come that “Where did they say to themselves us that safety always needs to be Addin a dark engine at night and - the you have a mix that spells dan- number one priority. You ger. No doubt about can’t place a value on human plain ~ life. This was the second vehicu- | people were unaware an active railroad can’t Say there was - crossing. talking to people around one we have many folks say they hear crossed the tracks in their rearview mirror and see the train - the crossings, crossing particularly on the Planning Commission. for added atmosphere. Anything is | there no signals or crossing arms on high © speed, high volume Charleston Road (State Route 113)? Perhaps the high | cost of such devices.is the reason, but better than current situation. the The Creeper staff needs to address this before how does the cost compare to the potential tragedy? The possible liabili- problem anyone else is needlessly — harmed. ty should be enough to justify the cost. ‘With all the money being spent on the only to look at The obvious question is why are the Heber Creeper. Both involved SO you especially rapid approval from lantern. — Dress them up as old railway workers in overalls and caps it, it’s just night. lar accident this year involving local people, dangerous, employee at the crossing to warn traffic as the train approaches. Have them sit in a truck with rotating lights.»or _ better yet get out and swing a. PS: As predict- train, surely the first priority should be safety.. Perhaps in keeping aah the old- behind time flavor of the Heber Creeper an ed on this page the asphalt plant has been given new life by the old time solution could be implement- -county. Look for u J g n i l b m Mu SAM ALLEN COLUMNIST hen the — ‘Utah for extraordinary relief that was brought before them on Dec. 19 they effectively | told the voters of Wasatch court. The hearing itself was heard on for new county council members the fifth floor of the new Scott M. in February as they had originally Court Matheson Building ini Sait Lake il Le it was given a tape with all the justices comments bleeped out. Only the argu- County that they could not vote wanted. The form | an audio recording of the proceedings, City. initiative of county sponsors 4G government The court chamber contains two sec- a new brought this suit directly to the Utah State Supreme Court because Wasatch County’s Commissioners had set the election date. for new county council ments presented by Gordon Duval and 4 | reverse this illegal action by going through the normal trial courts before - they got to the Supreme Court, there would have been no possibility that we election could have been held » February. - In an unusual move all five justices of the Supreme Court were present for the arguments concerning this petition for extraordinary relief. Normally, only a majority are present. Also, the does not want to be put on the record. During Gordon Duval’s presenta-_ tion in support of the citizens’ initiative, one of the justices asked why this case was before them instead of before a lower court. presented by Gordon aie Duval and Derek | ~ Pullan were audible. tions of benches separated by an isle that runs down the — middle. Spectators for the opposing parties need not fraternize with each ~.» The lack of name plates, mumbling speech, and redacted audio recordings gave the impression that the court Only the arguments members in November 2002 instead of _ other if they wish not to, in February 2001 as the initiative required. If the sponsors had tried to ‘Derek Pullan were audible. These two unusual events eidieaie | that the Supreme Court took special interest in this case and their speedy denial was a sign that they wanted to address this election issue as quickly as possible. _ The trial itself was an insightful experience for those unfamiliar with — the operations of the state’s highest Supreme Court denied the petition Supreme Court decided to hear this petition without a preliminary hearing, which is standard operating procedure. State i ; PL UR UIT ML: GUEST <= "Fhe front of the chamber is domi: nated by a massive mural with five nice, comfy seats below. The mural is indescribable. None of the spectators in the chamber could identify what the ae The justice stat- ed something to — the effect that lower courtsnormally work out os the all questions submit _ appeared interested in asking any | questions during arguments. - One of the justices became visibly inattentive when Derek Pullan, the Wasatch County Attorney, made his 10 minute presentation with two banker’s boxes full of supporting documents resting on the table next to him. Duval, representing the citizens who voted for the initiative, made a very eloquent and precise presentation in support of a Februar y election and a reinstated recall provision for corrupt politicians. Duval, a partner in the law’ firm Duval ‘Hansen, Witt & Morley, just opened up a law office in Heber City to handle local business in Wasatch County. He is currently representinga legal first, large group of property owners in Canyon Meadows in a suit against the their county. His personal work on behalf of written opinions the Sr Court reviews and then -them.: Crake spectators in Oar chert e room. — got the distinct impression that this |. justice didn’t want to have to do. any original research himself. He would rather have the lower courts do it for him even though it would create a sub- the initiative sponsors for a new of county government is being on an unpaid basis. Although the outcome of this struggle between the incumbent form done jbl politi- cians of Wasatch County and the citi- zens who want to. throw them out was not resolved by the Supreme Court, it may eventually be rescived by the 4th District Court in Provo. Once a deci- - stantial delay in the election of new sion is rendered4 in that venue, the losgovernment oflicials. in’ Wasatch painting was of. “ing party will then have the opportuni-— County. None of the justices had name. ty to appeal that decision to the Utah Although snbehen susties ec a plates before them and when they State Supreme Court. series of insightful questions concern| _ spoke, they often did not speak direct-— The timetable for this. process will ing opinion deadlines andthe recall ly into the microphones before them. ‘be determined by the docket schedule provision that appears to have been As a result, it was very difficult to. _of the 4th District Court. Hearings are filegally removed from the citizens’ know who was saying what. expected early next year. _ petition, none of the other justices’— When the Courier office reque ested |