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Show THE PARK RECORD WED/THURS/FRI, OCTOBER 13-15, 2004 Viewpoints. A-15 EDITORIAL Vote to set county wheels in motion he wheels of government, it is said, turn slowly and that is particularly T true when it comes to establishing a new government entity or trying to change the format of an existing one. Summit County residents will have the opportunity to take the first baby step in that direction on Nov. 2. This year's General Election Ballot includes a proposition asking local voters whether a study committee should be formed to "consider and possibly recommend a change of government in Summit County." Despite the timid wording of the measure, it has already become a divisive issue between the two county commission candidates and their supporters. Though approval of Proposition No. 1 would in no way obligate the county to adopt a new form of government, merely posing the question seems to threaten some members of the current administration. For the last 150 years, Summit County has been governed by a three-member board of at-large commissioners. During that time though, the county's population has grown to 30,000 and of that number more than 13,000 live in the unincorporated area known as the Snyderville Basin. For those 13,000 and others who live outside of the county's eastside municipalities, the county courthouse is their town hall. At issue is whether the county's population has outgrown its three-member board and would be better served by a larger group of representatives. Questions have also been raised about whether electing commissioners by district would ensure all areas of the county maintained an equal voice. Both questions are overdue for serious consideration. If not for the tedious process required by state law mandating a study period, we would suggest going for broke and just asking voters to approve an expansion of the county commission to five members based on population-based districts. Our hope is that voters would see the wisdom of enlarging the commission and of not leaving geographic distribution to chance. But according to the law, messing around with a century-old system shouldn't fall prey to political whimsy - and that is probably wise. Considering the time it will require to assemble a study committee, come up with a recommendation and present it to the county commission we would urge all voters to vote FOR A STUDY COMMITTEE. Summit County has changed and we should at least be bold enough to ask whether its government should, too. CHRIS WADDEL- PARK CITY'S OLYMPIC CHAMPION ! JOHN KILBOURWPAFIK RECORD LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Plan the future with Sally Editor: Respect the past, but plan for the future with Saily Elliott. The Salt Lake Tribune correctly labeled the Summit County Commission race between Elliott and Osguthorpe as old versus new. Now, that sounds familiar to forward-looking me, having been beaten in a 2002 Democratic primary by ultra-conservative Ken Woolstenhulme. It's not often we have such a clear and distinct choice in any election, but this year we do both locally, and nationally. But elections are about the future not the past, and what you want your community to be, not keep it as it once was. And with only three commissioners, this year's swing vote will make a huge difference for years to come. I believe that most of us value, appreciate and support the efforts to build trails, provide open space, make innovative and community-driven planning choices to prevent sprawl, ensure an adequate water supply, and invest in public transportation, historic preservation and recycling. These programs and direction are at risk if voters choose the subjective voice of Stephen Osguthorpe over the thoughtful, progressive direction put forth by Sally Elliott. Patrick Cone Former Summit County Commissioner Oakley Endorsing Elliott Editor: As a long-time resident of Highland Estates, I wanted to state that Sally Elliott is going to receive my vote next month for county commissioner. Besides the fact that she would have voted against the new "corporate office" with the "mandatory" 65-foot steeple at Trailside (if the steeple is so absolutely necessary to worship God, then does that mean that LDS members are unable to communicate with God on a beach or in the desert?), the reason why she has my vote boils down to hay. Yup, hay. For several years, I bought my hay from Ms. Elliott's competitor, Steve Osguthorpe. I had to constantly monitor the quality of what was delivered. It could either be full of weeds, still be wet or be full of mold (things that can kill horses). Often it was not of the quality expected for the price I was paying. Additionally, getting bad bales replaced was just about impossible. In my book, a person's ethics can be measure by what they do when they don't think anyone is looking (or not under public scrutiny). Sally Elliott is getting my vote Nov2. like that, who needs enemies? Thank you, Sally Elliott, for speaking your mind on such a tough subject, and thank you for contacting me during that whole ugly process. Respectfully, Robert "NIMBY" McMlcken Aspenglen resident Separation of church and state Editor: Mr. Stava, [regarding letter of Sept. 29] read the Constitution again or read it for the first time. The phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear anywhere in that document! Sincerely, Michael Flaherty Park City Old Town development Editor: My husband and I are residents of American Flag and happen to be in Park City for a few days. We have just learned about the huge development above Old Town and are amazed that we have not learned about this project in The Park Record in recent months. Called the Treasure Hill project, 1 gather its developers, the Sweeneys, are quietly getting this project moved forward without any article for public information in The Park Record When major changes are being planned for a town the size of Park City, and it affects homes of the residents, it should be discussed weekly in the local paper. It has to have been on the agenda on the Planning Commission weekly (or whenever they meet) and these discussions should be made public in The Park Record. I personally have not seen anything since May. This development will have a huge impact on our town and discussions on its density should continue and be openly discussed with the residents through the paper. Kindly be aware that not only the residents of Old Town are concerned, but that all of us take an interest in what is happening. enough water supply to build a house or provide for a proposed development. The county did not start Mountain Regional Water Company to get rich. They started it to protect people in Summit County. Sincerely Maureen McAllister Park City Season opener Editor "Love your tree." It's a simple message. Not so much the words of a tree-hugger per se, but rather Eve Ensler's advice to the audience at Saturday night's [Oct. 2] show at The Eccles Center. In her travels, she met an unabashed woman, who explained to her that all people, just like all trees - aspens, oaks, willows, redwoods, evergreens -- are beautiful in their own way. Rather than focusing on what's wrong with your body, love it for what it is. Then, of course, the actress/activist/playwright went on to a hilarious skit about Botox from her new play, "The Good Body," which opens on 6roadwayOct. 22. The evening ranged from Ensler discussing violence against women to performing monologues from her Obie Award-winning, groundbreaking play, "The Vagina Monologues." In brief, she provided a thought-provoking and amusing start to the 2004-2005 Season. Thank you to all who made this event come together with style in a very short time span. Speaking of hip folks, a big thank you to Barclay Butera for supplying the show's elegant props. Special thanks to the show sponsors, our patrons, Dave (our stand-in tech director) the staff at Fior^ and our volunteers. In addition to raising some questions, Ensler's performance also raised awareness - several audience members donated to The Peace House (the local non-profit set up a table in the lobby). Several good citizens also registered to vote at the "V is for vote" table in the lobby (another one of Ensler's causes). Thank you for helping us to start off the season with humor and enlightenment. Oh, and don't forget to love your tree. Emily H. King Park City The Park City Performing Arts Foundation Staff... Teri Orr, Mona Marler, Jenny Knaak, Jane Gendron and Leslie Stark Ensuring water for residents Park City Golf Community Editor: To ail the residents of Summit County: Poor Summit Water Company, "the mean old county government is so greedy it tried to condemn us." Not true. When Silver Summit, Silver Springs, Ranch Place, Bear Hollow area (behind Park City Nursery to Sincerely, the Olympic Park), Summit Park and so Kimberly H. Veillette many people had no water or failing water Highland Estates resident systems put in by unscrupulous developers and water companies with paper water rights (water that was allowed but not proven to be in the ground enough to serve its allowance on paper), the Summit County Commission under Shauna Kerr and Pat Con and Eric Schifferli said "Enough! We Editor: Isn't it funny how the controversy sur- need to make sure everyone who lives in rounding the LDS Church at Trailside is still Summit County has water enough to their being talked about during the election. Mr. homes already built and when they are Rudd refers to me as a "NIMBY." How about to build a home. Now, you cannot long do you have to live, pay taxes and sup- build a home or start a development until port our community to have an opinion? you prove you have enough water." Last time I checked, I am an American. The Summit County Commission tried to conland where I have the right to vote and demn all the water companies that served attend public meetings. I also have the First Summit County residences. The county Amendment. The land our founding fathers paid millions to update the water systems fought and died for. and buy the waterrightsso that all people in A democracy! Since last summer, I have our county had water when they turned on been referenced in these editorials to Hitler, their taps. There were broken lines and the murderers in Nauvoo, and now I am a unmetered lines, lines sized wrong, whole "NIMBY." All because I spoke my opinion developments had water unfit to drink and against the LDS Church. These are the the county provided bottled water. same people that say they want to be my Thanks to Shauna, Eric and Pat, now the friendly neighbors. With saintly neighbors water source has to be proven to have Response to Merlin Rudd Visit The Park Record website at www.parkrecord.com Editor: The Park City High School Golf Team would like to thank the staffs and members of Jeremy Ranch Country Club, Park City Golf Course, Park Meadows Country Club, and Glenwild Golf Club and Spa for a terrific 2004 season. We are well aware how difficult it is to give up valuable tee times to our players. As such, your continued support, patience, and gratitude of our program over the years cannot be measured nor thanked enough with words. Without your clubs' support of Park City High Golf, there is no telling how successful we would be. We would also like to thank the writers and photographers of The Park Record. Their fine coverage our season is very much appreciated. With the sponsorship of these fine golf courses, we had one of our most successful seasons ever. We battled 'til the last tournament in Region X play, only to come a few strokes short of another title. That week-toweek battle strengthened our players focus and made us more prepared for the Utah State Championship. In my humble opinion, winning a state championship in golf is one of the most difficult accomplishments in high school sports. Wefinishedthe first day of the tournament nine shots out of the lead. As the kids did all season, they battled all the way back to the top of the leader board on the second day. After two birdies and two pars during the one-hole playoff with Ogden High, we were crowned the 2004 3A State Champions. I'm convinced the support from the golfing community of Park City is the major reason Park City High School consistently fields one of the best golf programs in the state year after year. Therefore, the entire Park City Golf Team extends a heartfelt thank you to the members and staff of these more than generous «olf courses. advice of its computer scientists. See the UtahCountVotes.org action page for information on how you can help, so that Utah can deploy the best voting systems in America. Sincerely, Tim Jeffrey, head coach Park City Golf Team Dear Tom, I've been listening to KALL here in> Silver Creek (on and off) for fully 20 of your 30-plus years. I used to enjoy KALL's programming for the most part, until their management decided to sell out to Disney last year. When 910 became 700, "less was more" did not work here. I could not bring 700 in on any of my radios without so much static that I went out of my way to try to find other stations. Less was, well, less. Ultimately, I went online to listen to KALL there. The result I have come up with is that you might have dodged a very serious bullet. My guess is that if you had been forced to listen to KALL online for about an hour/ you would have committed yourself to some asylum or another right away. That is too much torture for any human being. Methinks you "dodged this bullet." E-voting machines Kathy Dopp Park City A letter to Tom Barber! Editor: It is a sad day when the League of Women Voters helps end democratic elections. Yet, the Utah League of Women Voters' executive director publicly supports (in a newsletter to all League members in October) Utah's adoption of error-prone, easily hack-able, rig-able voting machines, against the advice of Utah's computer scientists. Utah's Election Office is rushing to purchase flawed electronic voting machines by December that are under fire in other states. Having voting machine vendors help county clerks and the League of Women Sincerely, Voters' decide what voting equipment to Dan Paulson select for Utah is like asking flight atten- Silver Creek dants and passenger rights advocates to select the computer operating system for a 747 jet rather than engineers. Yet, the Utah Election Office, under Lt. Governor McKeachnie, plans to purchase new voting machines in just such a (secret) process. The PUBLISHER Andy Bemhard Utah League of Women Voters' executive Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker director, Sandy Peck, was on the Utah Staff writers Jay Hamburger Election Reform Committee that required Pat Parkinson digital recording electronic (DRE) voting Monika Guendner machines for Utah and excluded trustworCasey Basden thy, lower cost, optical scan voting machines Joe Lair from consideration. Jared Whitley American democratic elections may soon Adia Waldburger be lost forever due toflawedelectronic votContributing writers Tom Clyde ing machines that can undetectably be Teri Orr rigged, hacked, and miscount votes. Jay Meehan According to Utah's computer scientists: Joan Jacobson "The current generation of electronic votSilvia Leavitt ing machines are not secure and do not proUnda Jager vide voters with a way to know that their Courtney Herzinger Editor's assistant votes are being tabulated correctly because Inkama Black Classified advertising they do not provide a mechanism for effecHolly VanDenAmeele Office manager tive recounts when errors arise. As such, Michael Duffy Circulation manager they represent an unacceptable technical Kate Fischer Accounting manager risk, regardless of how people feel about Valerie Deming Advertising director them." " Wendy Halliday Advertising sales Anne Anderson Commercial electronic voting machines Molly Ballard use proprietary (secret) software, tie Utah Erin Donnelly down to one vendor for costly upgrades and Cheryn McNicol maintenance, and, when they produce a Teresa Chavez paper audit trail at all, produce paper that is Lacy Brundy not practical to store or recount, and cannot Chris Gill be independently verified in private by the Kat James disabled. Editorial production Scott Sine To reverse engineer just one e-voting Photographers Grayson West machine tofindout what instructions countMatt Gordon ed votes during an election, would take over Production director Kristi Ruppert a month of very skilled man-hours. E-voting Production Scott Schlenker machines have been shown to be so hackJason Plawecki able that a novice with no training can Kyle Burress change election results non-detectably in 30 Kim Vance seconds after a two-minute lesson. It is Carrie Winston beyond imagination why the Utah League Distribution Justin Deuel would rather allow errors, electronic failJohn Kilbourn ures, hackers, and computer programmers, Cartoonist rather than voters, to decide who our government leaders will be. Contents of the The Park Record are copyright Utah has a small window of opportunity © 2004, Diversified Suburban Newspapers. All to lead America to customize and deploy rights reserved. No portion mny be reproduced in any form without written consent of the managing less expensive, more trustworthy open editor or publisher. source voting systems with an independentThe Park Record (USPS 378-730) (ISSN 0745ly easily-countable voter verifiable paper 9483) is published twice weekly by Diversified ballot that even persons with disabilities can Suburban Newspapers, 1670 Bonanza Dr., Park City, Utah. Periodicals Postage paid at Park City, cast and verify in private. Please act now to Utah. stop the Utah Election office from blowing POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Vie millions of dollars and ending fair democraPark Record, Box 3688, Park City, Utah 84060. tic elections. Demand that Utah follow the Entered as second class matter. May 25, 1977 at The Park Recordiries to publish all of the letters it receives, provided they contain no slanderous or libelous material and are signed by the author. As the Nov. 2 General Election approaches, Theflecorcfwill attempt to make as much space available as needed to provide a forum for our readers. However, as per our standard policy, letter writers cannot submit more than one letter or guest editorial per 28-day period. Letters and guest editorials may be sent to editor@parkrecord.com or The Park Record, P.O. Box 3688, Park City, Utah 84060. Be sure to include a day-time phone number so we can verify authorship. The Park Record Staff the post office in Park City, Ulah 84060, under the Act of March 3, 1897. Subscription rates are $37 inside Summit County, S70 outside Summit County, Utah. Subscriptions are transferrable; $5 cancellation fee. Phone (435) 649-9014 or fax (435) 649-4942. Published every Wednesday and Saturday. |
