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Show 2 THE GREEN SHEET Tuesday, December 22, 1987 O 0(0 Yule Season Too Busy A Time For Important Public Hearings Conducting public hearings is probably one of the least appealing aspects of serving on a city council, especially where a controversial issue is involved. Quite often the hearings turn into a long parade of residents with an ax to grind. Unlike the councilmen who should have the common good of an entire community in mind and who have had opportunity to study all aspects of an issue, those who appear have a very narrow viewpoint of how a proposal might affect them personally. They generally give little thought to issues such as common good. The most emotional issues generally involve planning and zoning, where often a councils power is limited by laws. That is not to say, however, that public input is not important. It is one of the vital freemdoms Americans enjoy. As troublesome as public hearings might be for elected officials, they are required by law and they are an important part of the way government operates in a free society. Its probably not so, but it looks like officials in Draper, Sandy and West Valley would like to see a combination of circumstances limit public interest in actions that could be taken tonight. In Draper, a rezoning matter has neighboring Sandy residents concerned over a proposed massive commercial development. In Sandy, the council plans to discuss the possibility of pulling out of the county library system. West Valley will hold the first of a series of hearings concerning the Hercules annexation. No doubt it is a simple coincidence that these items happened to fall during what for most people is the busiest and most hectic week of the year. Editorial e Christmas shopping, holiday social events, family events such as attending The Nutcracker or Pioneer Memorial together combine to keep many people on the run. Many have obligations they cannot get out of. Last-minut- Further clouding the picture Tuesday evening is the BYU bowl game. Now were not suggesting that a televised football game is of greater importance than these weighty issues that will be before city councilmen, but it's a fact that people who have followed a team all season long like to reap the rewards of the bowl season. BYU has a huge following. No doubt when these important meetings were set up, no thought was given to poten- tial conflicts that citizens might have. There probably is no time that would be ideal, but there are times that are definitely worse than others and Tuesday is such a time. Were not suggesting that city councilmen and mayors deliberately set out to create a hardship for citizens who might wish to express their opinions on these topics. Probably those who care deeply will put off other things and attend if at all possible. Still, city officials in the future could follow the example of Murray and a couple of other communities who delayed some of the heavy matters to first of the year agendas and either cancelled Tuesday sessions or have light agendas of little public concern. Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Viewing The Legislature Tuition Credits Would Help Solve State's Education Woes to $700 large portion of the budget problems in the private elementary schools only charge $600 crowded the public Legislature stems from Utahs high percentage of tuition. As well as relieving student age children vs. taxpaying citizens, and the system to some extent, this would help bring some for both burden it puts on our public schools. The education equity to those parents that pay double for more asks others. and children using their money constantly community For every $400 tax credit that would be allowed, large class sizes, low teacher salaries and as reasons. funding shortages $2,000 would stay in the system and be available to students. If Utah It is true that Utahs expenditure per student is help educate the public education of 13 percent of national the meet to were average among the lowest in the nation, but it is also true that Utahs taxpayers are taxed among the highest its students attending private schools, which would in the nation based on percentage of income that be 54,600, approximately $109 million would be saved above the cumulative "costs" of the $400 tax goes to public education. A d Up until 1986 we had about 12,000 to 13,000 new students coming into our education system each, which figures an annual three percent net increase. As of the 1987 school year this figure dropped about d to 75,000 and is projected to stay at that approximate level, decreasing a small amount as we enter the 1990s. Even though we will not experience the crisis increases we have, education needs will still remain very burdensome to the taxpayers. one-thir- About 5,300 or more students in Utah attend private schools while 420,000 attend public schools. This is 1.2 percent attending private schools. The national average of students attending private schools is 13 percent. The parents in Utah that send their children to these private schools save the other taxpayers of the state approximately $12 million annually. If more parents would do this, more money would be available for the public education system. These parents pay the same taxes as everyone else as well as full tuition for their children in private schools. If the state could offer a "tuition tax credit of $400 to the parents for each child they send to private schools it would likely motivate more to do it, since Council Speaks Out -- Brayden's Cause? end-user- Nine-month-o- long-rang- $900-200- 0 anti-rejectio- n "initiative petition" issue with the tax limitation petitions. This bill would offer a tax credit of approximately $600 for each child attending private schools. I am also supporting this petition. I am convinced that either plan, if adopted, would lend a great help to our education problems. I would urge your support also. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact me about it. -- Senator Bill Barton Letters Editor: As members of the Magna Community Council we applaud and support the proposed Hercules Area THUMBS DOWN - And a Bah Humbug to those young people whose Master Plan before the Salt Lake Planning s.ee the lights less enjoyable than behavior make a visit to Tempe Square Commission in that it seems to solve the future it should be. liability problems of property development around Hercules. This proposal by the county to rezone and acquire adjacent properties would indeed result in the most cost effective creation of a needed "public safety zone," one that would not require "revenue bond" THUMBS l'P - To those stores that extended shopping hours to 10 and 11 pledging of property taxes and other tax revenue p.m. It was a real boost to working people who have a hard time finding enough hours in the day. presently received from Hercules to finance this property acquisition. We oppose taking $10,000,000 of property assessment value off the Salt Lake County tax rolls by the West Valley City Annexation Policy Declaration. We are against using tax dollars to acquire land to provide a buffer zone around Hercules when the drug bill for who knows how long Catch 22 is an understateNot even Santa seems so problem can be solved just as well be rezoning and ment for the predicament a if the father gives up his important when you look at allowing the market forces of private development to s (i.e., for light industrial and Davis County family finds employment. If indeed the drug the choices faced by this find recreational uses). bill is that he be itself in. high, may never young family. Tax dollars should not be used to solve an able to find a situation that would environmental allow him to take a job. Wouldnt liability problem around Hercules Call this a plea if you will. Brayden Seywhen is of aerospace defense contracts a it result mour needs a liver transplant to it make more sense to keep him Brayden is nine months old. He and such expenditures of land acquisition should be save his life. The fathers group needs help. He has an excellent among the gainfully employed insurance considers that experiand simply assist in funding the chance of living a full life with the included in any defense contract budget between Hercules and the federal government. mental surgery and will not pay surgery? We would hope therefore that a proper solution be has His for the procedure. In order to be family pride. It is particularly tragic that the transplant. found to keep our needed tax base intact by to Ed doesnt want the for nationwide list consign a family should be faced with such placed on the funds from the federal government (i.e., requiring have must We choice. to the come wont a family liver, hope it family to the welfare system. Hes impact funds). This would also maintain Hercules as Government $100,000 up front money. Once that. programs a young man. Brayden is his first a viable employer and business entity in Salt Lake the procedure is completed and if should be more flexible. It would e child. The we are sure this can be accomplished and County implications estimated it is a success, an be of greater benefit to society too painful to consider. If without annexation. are will just be month cost less. in But and the long run per This master plan also preserves the integrity of our even Santa probably couldnt each of us were to send just a drugs. required for boundaries which were established to communitys Probably for the rest of Bradens make that happen, could he? small donation, a tax deductible include Hercules in our incorporation bid in 1984. life. The insurance policy will pay These boundaries were approved by the Salt Lake for that. County Commissioners and were not protested by Time, however, is running out other governmental entities. Therefore we claim any for Brayden. If his father were to of the Hercules industrial tax base and priority then state the his job, quit historical precedence against any annexation Medicaid fund would, according to proposal by West Valley City. our source, pick up the tab for the We also submit that this master plan is necessary surgery and if the family was on at this point in time to preserve the incorporation the welfare the state plan, rights of the Magna citizens of the unincorporated medications would also be paid county. The choice to incorporate in the future for. since the plenary meetings of the state Now we cant quarrel with the constitutional revision committee, as being lobbied There some insurance policy. are by the Utah League of Cities and Towns, mandates that do pay for such procedures. existing unincorporated county communities are But we all have to live with around their property tax base by the incorporated whatever our group insurance be annexed to provide residents with 2000 or will year cannot pay. Employers says it their municipal services. Therefore afford to insure every worker possible enactment of this constitutional revision by the against every possibility. Were legislature coupled with the annexation proposal of kind of stuck. It we accept an auto Friends of the family are doing one at that, perhaps this baby will Hercules by West Valley City is tantamount to insurance policy that says it will not pay if were hit by a red car, everything possible to raise the have a chance to grow up. It placing Magna residents in double jeopardy (first, then wed better avoid red cars. needed $100,000 so the Seymours doesnt need to be a huge amount. we lose our tax base; and second, the constitutional wont face this ugly choice. Thats If enough of us send a few dollars, revision committee is telling us we must Or foot the bill for a better policy. does not implement this a big task at this time of year. then that $100,000 will be sitting incorporate.) If the county What we do question is why Most people are willing to share, in the bank when the master plan or does not oppose the annexation University of Hercules property in Ed Seymour should be faced more at Christmas time of Nebraska Medical Center calls proposal by West Valley City perhaps facto our rights to de lose we will with the choice of giving up than other, but the available and says it has found a liver. My Magna, any to his employment insure that incorporate. We recommend that the Planning Commission, his son can have the operation dollars stretch only so far. Severalin check is in the mail. If you want Taylorsville groups have joined based on the several points addressed herewith, he needs. the effort to raise the needed to join me, the address is the Salt Lake County Hercules Area Master Foundation adopt Liver Bake sales were held at American Plan. Now obviously we dont know all money. an area elementary and a junior Transplant Fund, P.O. Box 434, of the ins and outs of Medicaid Ut. 84037. I think Im and welfare rules. But it doesnt high group donated a portion of Kaysville, Respectfully, feel dollars to the going to just a little bit better MAGNA COMMUNITY COUNCIL make sense for Medicaid to be its are about myself on Christmas mom. Laura J. McDermaid willing to foot the bill for the cause. Davis County residents How about it? President surgery as well as a rather huge doing their part. Will You Help credit. Besides saving the education system many dollars and bringing more fairness to the parents that pay the costs for private education, the "tuition tax credit" would bring about more competition for our monopolistic public school system. Competition is always good and usually causes all entities competing to give better service as well as become more efficient. I have sponsored such a tuition tax credit" bill for the coming legislative session. As well as offering the $400 credit for regular students it would offer $800, double that figure, for handicapped or learning disabled students attending private schools. There is also a similar bill presented as an Save The Children the Editor: Nothing expresses the spirit of the holidays better than the smiles of children. We are blessed that our nations progress and prosperity allow so many youngsters to enjoy safe, happy holidays. But this season of giving is also a time to remember that thousands of American kids are "children at risk." Let us ask ourselves, "What will the new year hold for youth who are at risk of drug dependency, neglect, abuse or failure to gain an education? "Children at risk" pose a grave challenge to our country. While economic growth has helped the great majority of our people, the proportion of children in poverty grew from 15 to 20 percent since 1970. But help is there. The achievements of two of our ACTION programs the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program have proven that great progress occurs (RSVP) when the knowledge of older volunteers is used to help disadvantaged youngsters. Often, "children at risk" are the offspring of parents, particularly of single mothers. An excellent way to assist a child to break free from the cycle of poverty and dependency is to give that child as well as his family a role model and friend in a senior citizen. Personal concern and love cant be legislated or bought, but it is abundant in the commitment, time and understanding given by senior volunteers. On the day that she entered the hospital for surgery last fall, First Lady Nancy Reagan traveled to New Hampshire to help ACTION launch a renewed, national drive targeting children at risk. Through this effort, newly recruited and older volunteers will turn their attention specifically to youngsters who are at risk of failing in life because of the menace of drugs and alcohol. As a new year begins, let us all join our First Lady in supporting older volunteers who change the lives of the children they touch. We need more Foster Grandparents, more RSVP volunteers, and more seniors active in the hundreds of private, community volunteer projects around the U.S. Moreover, we need citizens and businesses, churches and civic groups, and individuals from every part of the community who will pitch in and support programs To - - e long-tim- e for "at-risk- " youth. If we each do holiday season our part, we will someday see a that is full of hope and joy for all of Americas children. Donna M. Alvarado Director of ACTION The Green Sheet welcomes contributions to both As I See It. Letters should be confined to a length of 250 words or less and not contain libelous comments. They must be signed, but the writers name will be withheld for adequate Letters to the Editor " and cause. Ife welcome lengthier correspondence for possible use as As I See It commentaries. Primary consideration will be given to those submitted by people with expertise in the topic about which they write. A brief description of that expertise should accompany the submission. All submissions are subject to editing for space and clarity. They may be addressed to: The Green Sheet, P.O. Box 7187, Murray, Utah 84107. |