OCR Text |
Show editorial Editor in chief: Taylor S. Fielding Phone: 626-7614 !;! . ......... I , Plan for quality... settle for quantity" There has been a lot of coverage lately over the direction development and growth will take in Utah. The state has gone so far as to hire a firm from Oregon to poll the people and research the kinds of construction and layouts they find most appealing.The firm, Envision Utah, held a public meeting Wednesday night in the Ogden City Council chambers, where they showed sets of slides and asked for the citizens' input on architecture styles, roadway median designs and zoning suggestions. While it is appreciated that legislators seem to finally be paying attention to the citizens of the state through a paid mediary, of course the real problems involved with growth on the scale Utah faces went mostly ignored, such as water stores, land use and environmental impact. Even with all the hubris, the most egotistical politician can muster. The fact that our environment affects us all in a very direct and profound way does not change. If development goes as per the plans Envision presented, the Wasatch Front will become what has been a nightmare for everyone fighting for a higher quality of life in Utah: a sprawling, urban catastrophe packed between two mountain ranges and trapped by a sinister shroud of pollution. Wetlands near the lake will become housing subdivisions that mirror the developments on the benches and in the mountain valleys, but on the other side of planned commercial and industrial growth that will run like an open wound from Tremonton to Spanish Fork alongside 1-15, bleeding toxic fumes. mm Aaron Barnard "Notes in passing" Did you know Utah already has the worst quality of air in the nation? The stuff we brea'he has more heavy particulates than Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, and they aren't going anywhere fast due to the particular geographic anomalies here. This state is definitely the one for odd dichotomies. It was voted one of the best places to live in the nation within the last few years, but at the same time has one of the highest rates of gang activity and violent crime per capita. One of the only states which boasts a booming economy yet little or no change in the standard of living, Utah's claim for the greatest snow on Earth may be factual, but only because the water that makes the snow comes from out of state. It would be apparent if the snow were native in origin because the runoff each spring would leave the hills bare and defoliated like Agent Orange. Now let's speak of the wetlands. How long until this integral part of Utah's ecosystem is subsumed by greedy or ignorant fools who don't know of their importance, and housing tracts appear in the wake of their destruction? The wetlands here are not merely pretty places to have migratory bird refuges; they perform indispensable functions as natural reservoirs, fish and animal habitats, recreation areas, and a necessary buffer zone between wild and urbanized areas. Other important buffer zones that are being overgrown are the mountain benches. They formerly were natural habitats for Utah's wildlife, but now they are being swallowed whole by the designs of land developers as more and more houses are erected increasingly further up the mountain, only to slough off at a later date. Not that I care too much about the loss of someone who does not have the innate wisdom to check out how drainage will affect their home's foundation, despite their ability to secure an expensive and status-elevating home with a great view. I do care that, with our encroachment into their habitats, humans are looking at animals as being in our space and violating our rights, as the animals exhibit natural behaviors like foraging or hunting.How far will our selfishness extend, until the only space left for animals is in zoos or our memories? The uniqueness of each creature can never be duplicated or synthesized. With all its inherent novelty, no one even knew the dodo bird was extinct until after they were all long dead. What will it take for us? An epitaph written someday for our race might read something like this: "People had their homes at the expense of the animals; their food at the cost of love for each other; the air in their lungs as just punishment for the way it was fouled; and tainted water to cleanse their souls. They found their immortality in the way they poisoned their land, unalterably and lasting. Humans made their world from a corpse of indifference to other lives, and now they are joined in shame for infinity." Except there would be no one left to write it. Group's message not lost after one century The Utah Chapter of the American Red Cross celebrated its 1 00th An niversary on May 15; however, the organization's message is still strong as ever. The organization which provides disaster preparedness first-aid supplies and training to the local public also is involved with helping the victims of disasters worldwide cope with the loss. Since Utah is a scismically active area, all residents should be prepared for this or another type of disaster; unfortunately, few are. In addition, many people may be faced vith a situa tion when one of their friends, co-workers or family is injured, becomes ill or has some other type of medical emergency. First-aid training offered by the organization can train anyone who is willing to learn about how to deal with these medical emergencies, either on a basic first aid or first-responder level. Often, the classes are offered as part of a university's health curriculum, such as Emergency Response class offered at Weber State University. So, in addition to learning invaluable first aid skills such as CPR, splinting and bandaging, students can get university credit for the class. The American Red Cross is also largely composed of vol- I i unteers, and the organization is always willing to accept the assistance of as many volunteers as possible. The activities of the American Red Cross are not limited to the local area, either. The American Red Cross responds to calls for assistance for victims of disaster around the world as well as within the borders of the United States. Volunteers who are willing to commit the time and go through the training have the opportunity to see the effects of many natural disasters in all parts of the globe. The Signpost encourages the community of WSU and the general public to support the activities of this organization. This support can take many forms, including volunteering time, monetary donations or supporting American Red Cross events, including an upcoming speech on landmines. This event will be held on the WSU campus, in the special collections area of the Stewart Library. Julie Groom Thompson, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northern Utah and Elizabeth Chicado, chairwoman of the American Red Cross International Services, and instructor of many first aid classes offered at WSU will speak on the effects of landmines. Specifically, they will address some of the statistics related to landmines, including this one: every month, 2,000 people are killed or maimed by landmines. . By Taylor S. Fielding editor in chief-77ie Signpost Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Interim Editor in chief Taylor S. Fielding 6267121 Managing editor Mellyn L. Cole 626-7614 News editor Angela Wadman 6267655 Campus affairs editor Kari Lynn Harland 6267659 A&E editor Debra Jandreau 6267624 Sports editor Andrew Aragon 6267983 Copy editor Tyler A. Holt 6267105 Features editor Jeremy Barlow 6267621 Graphics editor George Womack 6266358 Photo edi r Sean Knighton 6267661 Advertising mngr. Chad Montgomery 6266359 Online editor Mark Swenson 6267507 Secretary Georgia Edwards 6267974 Adviser Dr. Sheree Josephson 6266164 Publisher Dr. Kalhy Edwards 6266559 Signpost fax 6267401 The Signpost is published Monday. Wednesday and Friday during fall, winier, and spring quarters. Subscription Ls $9 a quarter. The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber Stale University sluJenls. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include name, address, telephone number, relationship to staff and the writer's signature. The Six7 reserves the right toedit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267,ormail to: The Signpost. WeberState University. Ogden. Utah 84408-2 1 1 0. Attn: Taylor S. Fielding. |