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Show VIEWPOINTS -19 SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, DECEMBER 15-18, 2007 THE PARK RECORD www.parkrecord.com ITORIAL itchell report: Steroids aren't st Barry's problem anymore reactions to the Mitchell report on use in baseball have been almost as !qc|rnpelling as the contents of the report itself. There has been everything from yawns to expressions of shock ("Say it ain't so") to righteous denials by the athletes. And, from lifeilbng New York Yankee haters, there's Undoubtedly an unstated undercurrent of glee. ij-1lf there's one thing the Mitchell report Wffltites very clear, it's that steroid use is ram^artt. No longer can we put mental asterisks Mex't to Barry Bonds' accomplishments and 'pretend everyone else in the major leagues is Jctean. 11 'feut should we be surprised ... in a culture where we worship our top athletes and pay .tjiejm absurd amounts of money ... where ^Heating is all too often considered part of the cgaVne ••• where we look in our medicine cabinets for solutions to every problem, real or received? LL-i.Steroid use in sports is nothing new. cRemember the East German swim teams '•.ot the 1970s and 1980s? Fortunately, under the. leadership of Dick Pound, the ^International Olympic Committee admitted 'that it had a problem and took aggressive steps •to1 correct it. l J " O n the other hand, major league baseball looked the other way far too long. Only in recent years has its players' association agreed to mandatory drug testing. The most troubling implication of steroid use is the message it sends to younger athletes. How can you tell a gifted young man from an impoverished family not to use steroids or human-growth hormones when he believes it could make the difference between a minimum-wage job and a million-dollar career and when he sees people he has idolized all his life linked to steroid use? Are Park City athletes exposed to steroids? Unless you believe we're completely isolated from the rest of the country, the answer is probably yes. When kids learn about drugs from their friends, chances are they don't discuss the side effects. It's a good bet they don't know about heart disease, high blood pressure, liver damage, blood clots and a myriad of other problems that have been linked to steroid use. It's our job to tell them. And drug testing, as invasive as it is, must also be part of the solution. It's tragic that drug use and athletics have become so closely linked in recent years. But if we can learn one lesson from major league baseball, it's that looking the other way doesn't solve anything. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR •fusing project is •fiviine with city code v; " t h her letter concerning the development of affordable housing in Park City, ;ftu¥h Gezelius stated that the affordable "housing project on Deer Valley Drive "(The Line Condominiums) has "created ;a ttaajor parking problem in the area as 'tire1'site cannot handle the number of vehicles generated by this density" and 'thai vehicles must park on the sidewalk, causing pedestrians to walk in the street. To set the record straight, The Line ^ c e e d s the number of parking spaces 'required under Park City's Land •fOianagement Code. In addition, there ?ift^signs posted in front of the project \ prohibiting parking on the street or side! walk so any violators should be ticketed. i-Tho-donsity of-the project is Jess than i'half of the density permitted under the | zoning for this parcel. i •• 9 ^Scott Loomis '^Executive director, Mountainlands Community Housing Trust Friday. I wish the Egyptian staff could have seen the sparkle of wonder and awe in the children's eyes as they became enthralled by the action on stage and traveled to Never-Never Land with Peter and Wendy. They would then understand what a gift they have given to 50 young people across Summit County. Thank you, Egyptian Theater marketing staff. The previous week the elementary children in Arts-Kids took a small gallery tour to the CODA, Stanfield and Julie Nester Galleries. The children had a wonderful time and were greeted by friendly, welcoming staff, who explained some of the artistic processes and told stories about the artists of the works that they saw. For some children, their field trip was the first experience in visiting an art gallery. We are lucky to live in a town where there are so many opportunities to experience the arts. Pat Drewry Sanger Founder/executive director, Arts-Kids Can't county combat Egyptian, galleries commercial congestion? Editor: ^Standing ovation Have you heard of any county (Editor: ;' "the kids and staff of the middle s'cnool Arts-Kids program want to pubjMiy thank the Egyptian Theater for Tn£ir generous assistance in allowing the 'ybung people from all over the county to Peter Pan last tfe 'able to progress to combat the congestion from McDonalds down'past the factory outlet stores down Kilby Road? They're adding more commercial but not solving the congestion problem? Do you have any answers from the county on what they are going to do about that? Every time I call and leave a message no one returns my call and I live right behind the outlets. I'm very frustrated. needed. Let's help them build our community and then be able to live in it. Sara Maute Park City Carol Wainman Park City Robert's right: Deed restrictions don't work Third grade thanks Zions for supporting education Editor: Thank you Robert Ainsworth. Finally someone has made some sense regarding affordable housing deed restrictions in Park City. If you meet the strict criteria for the purchase of an affordable home (many investing ALL their savings to do so). And then you work hard to improve your lifestyle; good for you, good for your family, good for the neighborhood and good for the community. Understand that an affordable home is more than likely a condominium. Now your family has grown and you need to buy a larger home to continue to enjoy the American dream but can no longer afford to live in your neighborhood because while your neighbors are getting fair market value for their homes you are only able to get 3% compounded over the number of years lived there. Because you are living in a condominium, adding another room is not an option sooo you must continue to live in cramped quarters (need I go into wear and tear on cramped living space with children) or sell at your allowed profit and move to another town, another job, another affordable home and so on ... Park City needs workers who are willing to pay the price to keep this wonderful town running smoothly. Workers are QUEST EDITORIAL ; Mow to feel abundant at Christmas Submitted by $}ap Kesselheim retreat, or like anything primitive. But how do you measure it? And will it be satisfying the way the new radial arm saw is? Here's what you get once you back away from the mall-shopping frenzy: The core elements of meaningful life, including family, friends, good food, gathering in celebration, singing, taking walks, going skiing and skating, enjoying our surroundings. We exist on a planet full of life, within a system that hums along with remarkable efficiency and grace, so long as we don't gum up the works. What about just celebrating that? Then, when the holidays are over, we keep it up. It's interesting to note that when surveys poll the most important ingredients of happiness, nobody says it's their big house or the latest BMW or diamond rings. Overwhelmingly, the response focuses on family, relationships, health and a clean environment. You might call it an abundant life. I know, it isn't easy. The consumer steamroller is inescapable. It overwhelms everything with its din. Our kids clamor for it. We feel the craving for something spiffy Winter's on the Range ••(i In recent weeks I repeatedly found myself shopping for .gifts and stocking stuffers. More than once I roamed the aisles H?f. discount stores that specialize in out-of-fashion, out-of_date, not-quite top-shelf merchandise. You know, not the Salvation Army, but definitely not Target. tn.fi. was not alone. The stores were crammed with shoppers looking for bedroom slippers, waffle irons, luggage, T-shirts, *n_d' whatever else fit the bill at discount prices. The checkout -Uses were 15 deep. AH of us were striving to meet expecta<*fio.r)S, keep up tradition and consume our way to holiday joy ,witJaout going broke in the bargain. It struck me, especially in 4h§tlower-end stores, that more and more of us are walking .tfafct bittersweet tightrope between holiday cheer and bankruptcy. fjrsrFhose of us with money to burn probably resemble the television commercials that feature stylish '.fegipes and sweater-clad grownups quaffing •Qggnog as they pile packages under the We exist on a planet full of life, <tr#g. Those without that fiscal cushion do QUiibest with a discount version of holiday within a system that hums along with ha sa vwee t o eht al vl et ai L O ]ntl v ' a s s o o n S ' k e home and .-achievement. If we're lucky, we'll be able remarkable efficiency and grace, so hold it, the luster fades away. tp;pay the bills come January. ,.(:VThe holidays,may be particularly per- long as we don't gum up the works. to iUavs, but they simply focus the broader pay for and store. Then, it's syndrome of a culture that adores having What about just celebrating that?" on to the next mirage-like itp,p,much. But the gap between those who ^m^^^mm^^^^^mm^ma^^mm shimmer on the horizon. jrcjaf h consumer Mecca and the rest trailing Think about it. Instead of ' i s both deepening and widening. falling deeper into the pit of definition, it is unsustainable. As writer Ed Abbey put jj, r JGrowth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the can- endless purchase, what about reordering our priorities? What if, instead of enslaving ourselves to the latest cer cell." t,f.f.What about an alternative way of life, one lived under the phone/music/internet gizmo, for example, we cook something •banner of abundance? It sounds positive, optimistic, and wonderful, plant a garden, hike or ski in the mountains, take .Jnie^suring abundance is refreshingly different than ranking up music, spend time with our kids, read a book, or be still. influence. This isn't my idea. I came across it in a speech cir- Just be still. Now there's a concept. It's not that we won't need to work or that we'll never buy culated on the Web, given by a minister at an environmental conference. He addressed environmental woes, but con- anything again. But if we slow down the buying and conscioussumerism was the heart of-his speech. He suggested that buy- ly change our priorities, maybe the impulse will fade and ownJ^g^efficient light bulbs is all well and good, but it won't get the ership will become less compulsive. Things might fall into a j o b done. All it does is tweak the juggernaut. It doesn't replace more sane order. It's worth a try. It could do us all good and Jf\ejuggernaut of our driving habits, our houses that grow ever feel, well, abundant. Not to mention that we'll be able to pay the bills next month. phjpiper, our desire always for more. r Celebrating the abundance we already enjoy responds niceA KesseIhejm . .. . ly to that tired argument, the one that asks: "Do you want to service of H l h « a contributor to Waters on the Range, a 8 go back to the Stone Age?" Abundance doesn't sound like Bozeman, Mont. Country News (hcn.org). He writes in delivered PR. His cartoons were always so relevant to the events of the week, and so well illustrated. Everyone makes mistakes. John's mistake was minuscule compared to Don Imus and Don is back. Give John a chance -and rehire him. Thanks, Jim and Lynda Krog Draper, Utah The Park Record Staff Editor: The third grade at McPolin Elementary would like to thank Andy Garland, manager of Zions Bank, for his support of our third-grade children. We appreciate the projects that were provided by Jamie Breza, who works for Zions Bank. Zions Bank's financial support will help make more field trips possible. Again, thanks to Zions Bank-for-their" help with the education of our children. Third-grade teachers Tori Carson Linda Dugins Kim Jensen Don Imus is back; Kilboum should be too Editor: I am a former member of your community. I now reside in Draper and continue to suscribe to The Park Record. My favorite page was John Kilbourn's cartoons with local interest! Now that it is gone, I do not look forward to my The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject We ask that the letters adhere to - the following guide!ines:Triey must Include the address and telephone-number of author. No letter will be published under an assumed name. They must not contain libelous material. Writers are limited to one latter every 28 days. Letters should nol be longer than 300 words (guest editorials, 550 words) and should if possible, be typed. We reserve the right to edit letters if they are too long or if they contain statements we consider unnecessarily offensive .or obscene. In addition, thank you letters are limited to six businesses and/or individuals with regard to businesses and event sponsors. PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Pat Parkinson Joe Lair Adia Waldburger Anna Bloom Kelly Evertsen Taylor Einsenman Contributinq writers Tom Clyde ""-. ' ~" - - - - - - T o n d r r " ***!=**~* Jay Meehan Joan Jacobson Silvia Leavrtt Linda Jager Lisa Nyren Steve Phillips Editor's assistant Kristina Eastham Copy editor David Hampshire Special sections editor Tracie Fails ADVERTISING Classified advertising Bridget Morgan Christin Hicks Kandilee Snyder Lacy Brundy Kristi Ruppert Valerie Deming Wendy Halliday Teresa Chavez Kimberly Gallgher Lori Gull Steve Atdous Jennifer Musial Nicole Graham Arwa Jundi Advertising Assistant Nikki Norton Office manager Circulation manager Accounting manager Advertising director Advertising sales Editorial production Photographers Scott Sine Kristin Murphy Production director Matt Gordon Production Scott Schlenker Becky Larsen Ann Marie Kloogh Tawnya Cazier Joshua Greenberg Sara Ely PRESS ROOM General Manager Head Pressman Pressman Pre-press Controller Office Staff Send your letter to: editor@parkrecord.com Bill Olsen Don Ferney Jimmy Elkins Mike Hall Valerie Waite Sandy Trost Ethel Bradford Marilyn Case Mail Room Ray Scoggins Distribution Mike Fischer Antonio Contreras The Park Record Online Poll Cast your vote at www.parkrecord.com Trazer craze The use of Tasers by police has sparked a heated debate in Utah, after a man was zapped after refusing to sign a speeding ticket, and in Canada, after a man died at the Vancouver airport. Now, for about 350 bucks, you can buy your own stun gun. According to news stories, the new C2 Taser is Jumping off the shelves. Which of the following best represents your opinion about Tasers? 70 votes • If the Constitution allows people to carry concealed handguns, it certainly covers Tasers too. 21 votes, or 30 percent • Let me get this straight: Cops are being accused of misusing Tasers, and now the public can buy them? This is crazy. What's next? 19 votes, or 27 percent • Don't use a few isolated cases to judge police officers everywhere. However, I'm a little nervous about seeing them in the hands of the general public. 30 votes, or 43 percent |