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Show 7 o c r IJTtM -- r at T rrff 4ST L Ayr CITY N UT Pt'11 1 T MOUNTAIN TIM VOL 1, No. 10 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1981 SERVING WEST VALLEY CITY, KEARNS AND MAGNA FIFTEEN CEisTS No federal or state sodium standards Magna water sodium content too high for By human beings." Magna water, however, REGINA COATS analyzed at 300 to 400 milligrams per liter, far in Times Sinff MAGNA Complaints about the water are rampant in the Magna area, and at least part of the answer seems to lie in the waters high sodium level a level which may be dangerous to those diets. living on 1 live here. I've tasted my water, said Ron Peeleman, Magna. He said when he first moved to lagna in March ch and tasted the water he just about got knocked out." The older people tell you its spring water good for you," said Pelleman. But Peeleman, who said hes been studying water pollution nationwide for the past few years, is concerned about what the sodium content of Magna water may mean to Magna residents. There's nothing illegal about it," said Peeleman. Nobodys breaking is the any laws, but d on those level for suggested diets and 100 for healthy 1 sodium-restricte- is of suggested levels. Peeleman, who sells water purifers for a company called Magic Mill, may have a vested interest in proving the Magna water unsafe. But he seems to have raised a valid point. Dr. Harry L. Gibbons, director of the Salt Lake Health Deparadmits level of the the sodium tment, excess City-Count- y Magna water is higher than average. But," he said, Its not something that weve said you need a water softener or something to remove sodium." Peter Verschoor, Department of Health and Bureau of Public Water Supplies, said the sodium level is not dangerous to those on normal diets, but he called the water "totally unsuitable for persons on sodium-restricte- d diets. They should not be drinking it at all." But while many agree the sodium content is high and those on restricted salt-restrict- diets should not be drinking the water, there may be something of a communication gap between those who know and those who shouldn't be drinking it. Stuart H. Agren, a Magna physician in family practice, said if state health officials have notified his office about the sodium content of Magna water, he doesnt remember it. dangerous to those with weak hearts, and children repeatedly drinking the Magna water are bound to be affected over a period of years. He said he doesnt consistently mention it to even his patients on diets, and he thinks he is representative of Magna doctors as a whole. Peeleman said in Anaheim, California, public wells were closed when the water reached the level of 200 Agren, who said he seems to have about the heard from somewhere high sodium level, adds it is a risk to his healthiest patients. In the long run," said Agren, high levels of sodium increase a person's tendency toward high blood pressure. Agren, who lives in Sandy and does not drink Magna water, said salt could be high-sodiu- Its not killing anyone yet," said Pelleman. No one on a normal diet is going to die. But if you're on a diet, 1 could make no such claim," he said. low-sodiu- milligrams per liter. No one drinks this water," he said. I dont blame them I dont either," said Peeleman, who uses a water purifier in his home. "The Clean Water Act set no standard for sodium," said Terry Sadler, a former Magna resident who now serves as Utah State Director of Environmental Health. The physicians in the area are diets ed aware of the pioblern," he said, noting that the state department of health is responsible for warning area physicians of the high sodium level. Sadler said physicians were notified over a year ago. Had sodium been a real concern, said Sadler, the LPA would have set a standard level for it. Sadler said the LPA has set a level for every other chemical, but not sodium. Ken Bousfield, of the state department of public water supplies, said Magna water comes from several sources. He said Magna's from two and Barton. 13 well-field- or 14 wells come named Haynes Sodium content will be high as long are used," sources as those said Bousfield, who attributes the sodium to the influence of the Oquirrh Mountain range which he said makes the water more mineralized than that coming trom the Wasatch Mountains parts ol Salt lake Valley in other Boustield said sodium is monitored health dcpaitment workers contact state hypertension program workers who in turn arc lor contauing local responsible physicians. lor and state Bousfield said it is tough to say whether or not physicians aie actually contacted. Otten, he said, notification may consist of a written message which may or may not be read by the doctor to whom it is sent. "I imagine people have learned to live with it," said Bousfield. "I hey either say here in Magna you dont drink the water, or theyre used to it, or they may even like the taste," he said. Bousfield foresees no resolution to the problem. An process is far too expensive," he said. It would be easier to import water from other areas of the valley." WVC Police Chief addresses Hunter council By TERRI POTTS Tmn Correspondent HUNTER David C. Campbell, West Valley City police chief, attended the Hunter Community Council meeting Dec. 17 to respond to concerns and questions of the council. Campbell addressed police response time and the Neighborhood Watch program. Concerning response time, the chief said, We have X number of police officers that we can put out on the street. Since we began our operation 18 months ago, that number has not We have a total 64; we are currently four authorized-strengt- h changed. of down from that. Since the West Valley City Commission announced that each department will have a 5 percent budget decrease, those officers cannot be replaced unless the council which takes office in Janutuy reauthorizes the budget, Campbell explained. Most of the crime, accidents and other activities occur in the east end of the city; therefore, most of the officeers are called to that side. When a call does come in from the west side of the city, response time is at least 10 minutes, if the officer isn't occupied with an accident or another call, the chief said. The West Valley City Police Department has an officer who works with C'smunuies to help them organize a Neighborhood Watch program. Those interested in organizing a watch in their neighborhood should contact Valeen Roller at In response 974-550- 1, extension 275. to Walter Ewells comment that the police department has been criticized for paying high salaries to their officers, the chief said, "In order to be competitive with other departments, 1 proposed (when the city incor- - porated) to bring those officers with experience straight accross on the pay scale. The commission the accepted proposal. As a result, the average experience is six years for a force that is of only 18 months old, and the officers have a college education. That is the best in the state, Camtwo-thir- pbell said. Community Development Suggestions for community development projects include: new restrooms at Hunter Park; completion of unfinished projects at Hunter Park; installation of curbs, gutter, and sidewalks on 3500 South; irrigation ditches; sidewalks over the canals at 4800 West and 5400 West; a civic center or center; multi-purpo- restrooms at Woodledge Park; and housing rehabilitation. Gerald Wright, council president, said, Community Development is sending for the new government guidelines before making any more decisions." Time will be set aside during the next council meeting so the general can have input into proposals to be given to the CD office. Correctional Facilities Ren Rasmussen and Jim Relley, council members, reported on the Taylorsville meeting concerning the youth detention center. Protesters had their way, and the board decided to find a new location for the center. It announced this week that the youth detention center will be built near Decker Lake. Next Meeting The next Hunter Community Council meeting is scheduled Jan. 21, 1982, at 6:30 p.m. A general meeting for the public will be held at 7:30 p.m. to discuss suggestions for community development projects. The council hopes to hold the meeting at Whittier Elementary School. S.L. County crime down slightly By REGINA COATS Tones Stttff SALT LARE CITY-Stati- stics released recently by the Salt Lake County Sheriffs office show 1981 crime in the county has decreased almost four percentage points from 1980 crimes. January Sealed on Santas lap, a resident of the Golden Manor Nursing home goes over her Christmas list. (Photo by Glen Fairclough) Attempted robbery thwarted WEST VALLEY CITY An attempted robbery was thwarted Monday evening at the Holiday Oil service station, 3847 South Redwood Road. At 8:30 p.m.t a male Mexican came into the station, pointed a gun at the attendant, and demanded that the attendant open the cash register, said officer Valeen Roller, spokesman for the West Valley City police department. Roller said the male attendant, 5$, said "No, you open it. Wrhen the man got up on the counter, the attendant pulled out a stick from behind the counter and threatened the suspect with it, said Roller. After a customer drove up to the gas station, the suspect fled northwest on foot without any money from the station. No one was injured in the incident, said Roller. through November 1981 statistics show a total of 14,61 1 crimes, a 3.9 percent decrease from 1980s 15,203 crimes committed in the same time period. Doug Walker, data analyst at the county's crime analyses unit, attributes the decrease to more accuracy in the crime analyses unit, and increased apprehension serving as a deterrant to offenders. Its hard to explain it," said Walker, but I think theres a couple of reasons. We've tightened up our statistical said Walker, noting a comrecords, puterized system of recording has made records more accurate. Walker also said a special deployment of six officers has been assigned to areas where residential burglaries have occurred. Unfortunately the deployment is highly visible in marked cars and uniforms," said Walker, but he said there has been a definite decrease in crimes in a given area when the officers are on duty. Walker said the crime analyses unit is better able to deploy such units with the help of computerized statistics. With these statistics, the unit plots where burglaries are occurring, as well as when they occur and when they might next occur. The crime analyses unit began its work with the county sheriffs office with funding received through a federal grant two years ago, said Walker. He said the unit has become more effective in recent months after getting its computer program running smoothly. statistics released by the unit show homicide up 22 percent, from nine cases in 1980 to II in the first II months of 1981. There was also a slight increase in assaults which went from 1,181 cases to 1,190. Three categories where numbers of crimes reported had decreased include rape, down from 57 cases to 49; armed West Valley City commission meets for final time WEST VALLEY CITY-W- est Valley Citys commission met briefly Dec. 17 in its last regular meeting for 1981. With new city officials coming into office Jan. 4, it was also the last com- mission meeting for present Mayor Henry Price and commissioners Renee Mackay and Jerald Wagstaff. After resolutions presented by Glen Weaver, the commission approved contracts for engineering for both the Market Street drain and the Cherrywood detention basin. Mayor Henry Price also asked that commissioners meet in a special session Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. to approve a resolution extending the old commissions test wishes to the new form of government being implemented Valley City. in West Swearing in ceremonies for new city officials will be held at noon on Jan. 4 at Granger High School. A A resident of the Golden Manor Nursing Home in West alley City visits with Santa Claus Dec. 19 during a Christmas party given by employees of the Granger Medical Center. Each of the home's 66 residents received several presents, including fruit baskets, clothing and personal items, all donated by the medical center employees. (Photo by Glen Fairclough) Inside Opinion and commentary Entertainment Church news School news Sports Community news Page Page Page Page Page Page 2. J. 4. ft. 7. 8. |
