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Show 2 Thursday, March THE GREEN SHEET 31, 1988 Theres Wisdom In Knowing OUR READERS WRITE When To Give Up The Fight Community service is fraught with pitfalls. It is often a thankless task that brings with it considerable stress and frustration. Almost always it involves two or more factions not always in agreement with one another. In two Green Sheet area communities we are seeing the disgruntlement that surfaces when issues divide the township. In both cases - in Magna and in Murray - the library system is the issue. This editorial page has been filled with points of view from people on both sides Murray the dialogue has come mainly from those most closely involved, former members of the Library Board and the City Council. In Magna members of the Library Ad Hoc Committee who fought long and hard for placement of the library in a certain location, and lost, have vented their feelings. People in the community, who happen not to agree, as well as members of the body charged with making the decision, have responded. In both instances, one response brings a rebuttal, which in turn brings another. In Murray the Library Board knew when to give up. Demonstrating their frustration with elected officials, six of the seven board members resigned. It was not a decision easily reached. It was agonizing and difficult. But the handwriting was on the wall. Perhaps the board, as formerly constituted, was a victim of the change in government Murray underwent several years ago. Certainly that had an impact on its function. There was an -- -- --- in Likes Dear Editor: and more schools are turning to education, we are hearing the pros and cons regarding this situation. Some families feel it conflicts with their vacation. Others have students in middle school and high school which do not have the same schedules. Also, parents may not get their first choice of a particular track. I believe these concerns are real, but can be worked out with creative solutions. An important aspect is that parents must face these adjustments with a positive attitude. Whatever opinion is formed by the parents will be expressed by their children as well. I have been a teacher for 18 years. The last three I have taught in schools. I, too, have formed an opinion of this type of schooling. Students seem to be more responsive. They are further ahead because they do not need to spend two months in the fall catching up on what they lost during the long summer. Test scores have increased on every grade level in our school. With the short breaks throughout the year, teachers and students do not experience "burn out. There are many exciting school activities taking place all year. Children are less likely to get into trouble due to extended periods of time. I express my appreciation to parents and students with whom I have been affiliated the last three years. Such things can not happen without support from the home. In my estimation, education does work better in many ways. Along with any change comes an adjustment. The benefits come by working through these adjustments. If your children are approaching education, look forward to it with enthusiasm. After all, should we not want what is best for our children? As more EDITORIAL year-roun- d out and out power struggle. The Library Board rightfully saw itself in a no win situation. Still, those people must be commended for their service to the community. They did not abandon ship. They simply saw no light at the end of the tunnel and stepped aside. They should not be condemned. In Magna it is time for the ad hoc committee to recognize the same thing. They fought the good fight and lost. To continue to kick against the decision that has been made only serves to further divide the community. They are not going to win, it seems clear. What we all must recognize is that when a public decision is made, there is a bottom line. Public input is a good thing, but in the final analysis a decision must be reached. The ultimate responsibility for that decision lies with elected officials. In Murray, the City Council has the final word. In Magna, the County Commission is the ultimate authority. If their decisions are unpopular the voting booth will determine their fate. Advisory boards appointed by those elected officials are next in line, and finally, those people who are hired to manage a system. Our voice in government is, however, the elected official. If the majority approves of their action, they may be retained in office, if not, the next election is never really very far away. year-roun- d year-roun- d year-roun- d Sincerely, Michael G. Lance Sandy Enjoyed KHS Concert We Needed (And Got) A Good Belly Laugh When Dear Editor: youre the boss, theres nothing more gratifying than having your employees get right to the task. Its a trait that some of us developed when our father said, "When I say jump, you ask How high?" But you can always tell when they arent totally excited about what you ask (tell) them to do. I answered with my own version of "How High" when our publisher announced in a "No nonsense" tone of voice that he wanted to discuss what wed be doing for April Fools Day in the paper. When he told me what he had in mind, I swallowed hard and said, "Uh, that sounds like fun." Now Im the last person to have anything against April Fools Day, having made my debut into this world on just that day more years ago than I care to admit. But I always thought this newspaper business was pretty serious stuff. With my desire for financial security outweighing my seriousness, I began to catch the spirit of what we pulled on you, the reader, today. - them gave me the proverbial "hairy eyeball." "Peter wants I announced. and others began putting their imaginations to work. it. out of our weekly management meeting with the announcement to our staff writers that they would need to come up with a story or two each that was just plain tom foolery. A couple of I it and thats that," I went to my computer and began to compose the yam about our new staff writer, April Phool. Well the more I wrote, the more fun I found I was having. Upon hearing the giggles coming from my office, the rest of the staff began to catch the spirit. Soon the entire newsroom was awash with gales of laughter as N. Joy Writing, I. Did Goof, Tom Foolery But I wasnt prepared for how much fun we had doing came Heres . It didnt take much more than a couple of hours for the 200 or so inches of crazy material that is peppered throughout todays paper to be created. A Letter To the Congress of the United States Washington, D.C. To Gentlemen: For quite some time, I have been incensed at some of your actions. Since the welfare of this great nation is in your hands, I feel that much of the legislation spawned by your deliberations should be seriously addressed. When you took office, you swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Have you read the Constitution? Or, can you read? Perhaps you were too drunk to know to what you were swearing, or perhaps ogling your secretary with your mind on our next conquest. At any rate, you are supposed to e representing the people of the United States instead of devoting your efforts only to your personal interest and that of the almost 10,000 lobbyists milling around your halls. If I am to believe what I read, you recently gave ourselves a $12,000 raise in salary. Do you realize ow many families there are in this nation who would be delighted to have that much for their entire support? What, in heavens name, are you doing to earn the you are already getting? So many people whose income is less than half yours have endeavored to be and to be good citizens and to pay their taxes for your support while you sit there in total disregard of their needs and permit legislation to pass and allow some stupid rule of the IRS to be implemented which takes away a goodly portion of their income. greed is a common human frailty which can be understood, even if difficult to tolerate. I fervently wish that your raise was my only complaint. That I could forgive and would not be writing this epistle. You have been wallowing in a glut of money which has been flowing into the national coffers ever since that pernicious confiscatory illegal income tax was instituted. In addition, you keep searching for new ways to bleed the economy and the people and thus you are slowly bringing thus great nation to its knees. And, when $70-80,00- Self-servin- 0 g self-servin- g School Year-roun- d That was two weeks ago. Sincerely, Its the first Mark L. Hales Cyprus Grad time one of our writers ever nailed a deadline, let alone exceeded it. Putting out last weeks was almost paper humdrum in comparison. "I wish I could make up my facts all the time," another of our staffers announced. I forced myself not to suggest that I was pretty sure thats what he usually did. Dont you tell anyone I wrote that," said another, referring to one of the more "sensitive" issues we poked fun at. I wouldnt dream of it. No doubt there will be some readers who dont find our tom foolery all that funny. But we hope that some of you will get a charge out of it. After all, lifers too short to be serious all the time. 1 disaster strikes, know this, that the destruction of this great nation, if and when it occurs, is the direct responsibility of the Congress of the United States. You and no one else are responsible for the deficit with which we are burdened. You and no one else are responsible for creating an atmosphere of immorality which permits the dissemination of both subversive and prurient literature. You and no one else are responsible for the degeneration of our educational system into a propaganda machine devoted to the indoctrination of minds instead of teaching people how to think and reason. Indeed, I suspect that some of you are the product, or should I say the victim, of this liberal education binge we have witnessed for the past 60 years or so. Which brings me to mention that one of the most powerful of those lobbies above mentioned is that nefarious, vicious, odious, subversive, disgraceful, dishonorable National Education Assn. Your propensity for wasting money is comparable to a child being provided with unlimited funds to on every whim, knowing there is spend more available. To illustrate, let us consider the unspeakable stupidity which permitted that disgraceful debacle at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. That alone is enough to make you the laughing stock of the entire world. Add to that the Tombigbee. disaster in Mississippi and the legions of students who have had their education financed by public money and who have defaulted on repayment. Many of them in your own offices are now collecting more public money in salary and doing no more to earn it than some of you bungling politicians. Not to mention the military arm of the government spending $600 for toilet seats, $75 for hammers, $50 for bolts which can be bought for 75 cents in a hardware store. Then there is the great welfare fiasco which could be brought under some semblance of control if there could be found a modicum of loyalty, patriotism or g willy-nill- y Editors Note: So do we. Thank you. Writer Misinformed Dear Editor: A letter to the editor appeared in the March 24 issue of the Green Sheet regarding the Magna library. It seems the writer was a bit uninformed. First, former Governor Rampton addressed the County Commission as legal counsel for the Magna Community Council Ad Hoc Library Committee -not as a Magna resident. Second, as chairman of the Library Committee g and a Magna resident, I was the logical choice as spokesman for views opposing expansion of life-lon- the present library. Magna citizens should be made aware of our position and realize that most, if not all, of the questions raised in my presentation remain unanswered. Those questions include: 1) What is the justification for expansion rather than accepting the committees thorough, financially sound recommendation for a freestanding library? 2) Why was the present lease not extended in a timely fashion at more than favorable terms? We feel that such an extension could have bought valuable time. It would have allowed us the time to fine tune our proposal and bring a new library to fruition. The cost of abandoning such a lease would be minimal. 3) When did the decision to expand to a soon to be abandoned building see the light of day? What are the real costs involved in this remodeling? 4) Since remodeling entered into the picture, why were not the public notices issued and interested parties be allowed to bid? Other locations in Magna would be suitable for remodeling --"very likely at less than $60,000 per year. 5) Why has the Hercules overpressure zone been taken so lightly? Concentric shock waves cannot be blocked out with a pencil. Sincerely, Praise For The Flag Editor: As we rounded the bend of the Van Winkel Expressway recently, our eyes were assailed with a sudden and spectacular sight. There, directly ahead, as though planted in the middle of the highway, was a lovely silken flag extending over the surrounding area and appearing as though it were literally airborne in the gentle breeze. As we proceeded on our southeasterly course stopping for the traffic light at the 48th South and 9th East intersection, the flag stood framed against the majesty of the Mt. Olympus peaks and caused for one spectacular moment, a chill along our patriotic spines. Assuming that all of us who travel these roads receive the same emotional moment from this sight, we set out to learn who was responsible for erecting the flag and what were the plans behind it. plain old reason in the minds of the U.S. Congress. But, those of us who can remember these attributes as being quite familiar in public leaders and educators look in vain for evidence of a little fortitude in our government today. I dont know if the Monroe Doctrine is deemed to be law, but I do believe that . . we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace ad safety." (From the fifth paragraph.) Your stupid misinterpretation of the Third Article of the Bill of Rights has permitted the passage of legislation prohibiting the importuning of our Maker for divine aid in our public schools. Individual and public prayers have nothing to do with the establishment of a state religion, which the article refers to. It is the epitome of hypocrisy for you to bow your heads while the chaplain invokes the blessings of heaven on your assemblages and then vote to deny the same privilege to our school children. The founding fathers of this country thought it perfectly proper to seek divine aid; such procedure having nothing to do with the "state religion" seem to lean toward a question. But you purely materialistic society, depending entirely on scientific answers to all our problems. But it will not work. When Lincoln at Gettysburg referred to "this nation under God, . . ." he stated a profound truth. nit-wi- . Millcreek Ernest Colosimo Chairman Magna Ad Hoc Library Committee The United States Congress AS SEE IT back-breakin- I took the opportunity Monday evening, March 21, to hear Kearns high school performing, "An Evening of Choral Music." Participating were all of the choral groups in the school. I believe that these young men and women deserve to know how impressive their concert was. It is a true joy to see and hear the talent of our young people. It is evident that their instructor, Ms. Webb, loves and appreciates these students and their talents. The desire to sing well, the proper atmosphere, and much time and effort are all requirements for such a successful concert. None of my children attend now nor will they be in the Kearns high boundaries, but 1 would be pleased to have them attend such aj(jne institution. I applaud Ms. Webb, Mr. Haacke, principal, and the students for an impressive and enjoyable evening of choral music. We discovered that the idea was conceived by Richard Beckstrand of Beckstrand Management, who is the owner and developer of the adjacent Spring Run office complex. Mr. Beckstrand went to work to obtain permission from the Utah Dept, of Transportation to place the flag on the state property. He also obtained the cooperation of Dr. Myron Wentz of the adjacent Gull Laboratories for the project. In an effort to create a more pleasant and park-lik- e aspect for these buildings, plans are under way to landscape the grounds under the flag and planting will begin as weather permits. Kelly Jaynes, of Beckstrand Management, informs us that Mr. Beckstrand hired a firm from Idaho to make the 30x50 foot flag. He had seen a flag of that size on a hotel in Idaho and learned that it had been specially made by the Blaze Sign Co. there. Ms. Jaynes also informs us that the horse farm property to the west of the Spring Run complex has been acquired by Mr. Beckstrand and additional plans are under way to add compatible landscaping there. We send our plaudits, folks! Elizabeth S. Sullivan ts The Green Sheet welcomes contributionsl from readers for either Letters to the Editor or As See It. Letters should be confined to a length of about 250 words and not contain libelous comments. They must be signed and must be received in our office no later than 10 a.m. Tuesday for publication that I week. Longer correspondence may be used as As See It commentaries on a space available basis. 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 may acI company 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, Ut. 84107. Of course, if some fat lobbyist buys you a $50 lunch, then trivial matters become important issues. Or, if the bankers wish to cover their inept mistakes in loaning money to a dictatorial, gangster, give away the Panama Canal to appease them and charge it to the taxpayers. Or shovel out billions of dollars to Marcos or Baby Doc without bothering to question what they do with it. Of course, if you are invited to some of their parties you perhaps feel justified. After all, its only taxpayers money and there is plenty more if you can just persuade the people to work another month or so to pay taxes. Tap us for another months wages. Also, some of those stupid people who are supporting your prolifigate ways, have two cars. You could introduce legislation , outlawing such extravagance and increase our taxes a few hundred dollars a year per family. It is entirely within your power to correct any and all flagrantly unwise andor illegal verdicts rendered by some senile, lecherous, inebriated judge. Neither should we be forever saddled with bureaucratic mandates, the only purpose of which is to infringe our right to freedom and stultify private business. But your unmitigated preoccupation with the perpetuation of your office precludes your attending to the business which you were hired to do. If there are any among you who do not deserve this criticism, they will take no offense. But, since majority rules all we can judge by is the end result of your deliberations, and conclusions, some of which are rather odious. We are constantly bombarded from all sides to The pilgrims at Plymouth and Washington at Valley Forge also knew whence came the help which they needed. It is futile for you to suppose that we can become a godless society and survive. Benjamin Franklin said, "The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see that God governs in the affairs of men . . ." It would be well, I think, if some of you who tend "write to your congressman". to atheism would consider this fact. Instead you Well, gentlemen, this I have done. seem bent on reducing us to a government by fiat and bureaucratic mandate while you ponder the inconsequential issues of seat belts, air bags, crash Respectfully and sincerely, helmets, etc. It just so happens that it is no ones W.L. Matheson Sandy business but mine if or whether I use these things. f |