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Show VIEWPOINTS A-19 THE PARK RECORD www.parkrecord.com WW§^r * SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 EDITORIAL i urn Labor Day sets perfect tone for 2008 election season D emocrats and Republicans seem to agree that voters will choose their next president based in large part on his ability to address the concerns of middle-class working Americans. It is fitting, then, that this weekend, across the country, small towns and big cities will be paying tribute to their workers with a host of Labor Day celebrations. In Park City, of course, Labor Day goes by the handle "Miners Day." It is not only a celebration of the town's gritty mining heritage but also serves as the official kickoff for local election campaigns. As it is on the national front, the economy will be a vita! issue as Park City and Summit County citizens listen to and try to choose among the candidates for county and state offices. And the issues are no less important on those local levels. Fortunately, the 11 candidates for the new county council (5 Democrats. 5 Republicans and one Constitution Party member) do not have to endure as grueling a campaign as the presidential nominees. but it is likely to be a tough election season nonetheless. On Monday, let's commit as a community to use this opportunity to examine the challenges facing us and to debate, respectfully, how to meet them. Like our national leaders, Summit County's elected officials will be facing questions about the environment, immigration laws, the economy, affordable housing and how to meet rising health-care costs. During the next two months, patriotism will not be measured in flag pins or lawn signs; it will be measured in participation. Those who have selected their candidates should be work to support them, and those who have not made their decisions should pledge to study the issues and listen carefully to each prospective commissioner's platform. The campaign season will last just two more months. The decisions we make will last, in most cases, for four years, so it is worth taking the time to ensure your vote is one you can live with. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FOA Barking Ball was a blast Editor. On behalf of all of us at the Summit County Friends of Animals (FOA), a HUGE THANKS to everyone who supported our 12th Annual Barking Ball! What a great turnout this year, from both longtime friends of FOA as well as new supporters! Local business donations were so generous, resulting in an auction that was the absolute most beautiful and varied to date! And, of course, we couldn't make it happen without the dozens of gracious and hardworking volunteers who turn out to help! Special thanks to our hosts, PCMR and The Legacy Lodge. Both the venue and the catering were perfect! The result was an evening that was entertaining and heartwarming for all as well, as supportive for FOA's adoptable pets. And, it couldn't happen at a better time! In addition to rescuing and locating new "forever families" for hundreds of dogs and cats each year through our adoption center. "Furburbia," FOA is excited about our new $1.5 million expanded rescue and rehab center currently under construction on 100 acres in Browns Canyon. The center will also serve as an educational, animal health and community outreach facility. Friends of Animals would not be able to accomplish these aggressive goals without the strong support extended to the Barking Ball! We truly value your support one and all. On behalf of the animals, thanks again from the very bottom of our hearts. Until next year, Happy Tails! Debbie Walsh chair Debbie Walsh and volunteers for a job well done. For the animals, Cathy King President, board of trustees Summit County Friends of Animals There's more than one way up the mountain Summit County FOA Board The animals appreciate ya Editor: I would like to thank all of the people who lumed out to support Summit County Friends of Animals (FOA) at the 12th annual Barking Ball. This is our big event of the year. The proceeds will help us continue to keep Furburbia, our adoption center, and all of our important programs alive. This is a very special year for us as our new Rescue & Rehabilitation facility is currently under construction, now more than ever we need community support. It was a wonderful evening, special thanks to our _- -Li. _ _ __ _ Editor: Before Iron Canyon was developed, the trailhead for Iron Mountain was a small pathway beginning at Rotary Park. The trail and trailhead still exist. There is plenty of parking most days. It means a longer hike. This is just a suggestion, but all problems and congestion would be solved if hikers would use that area to begin their hike up the mountain. Our roads in Iron Canyon do not have lanes marked because they are so narrow. I would prefer the quiet life we had before "progress" but alas, that isn't possible. Julie Wenner Park City Musings of a frightened Democrat Editor: Who? Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska? They made the announcement and I could hear the thundering roar of disgruntled Hillary fans booking Alaskan cruises and Googling recipes for moose stew. It's brilliant, for Petes sake. Those sneaky bastards. It was so obvious. An executive, gun-toting mom with a kid on his way to Iraq. She told Congress to shove the infamous "bridge to nowhere." She's an actual fiscal conservative the way Republicans used to be, before they signed on to the "borrow and spend" plan like a bunch of fatuous sorority girls. And yes, me, a lifetime died-in-the-wool Democrat, already has a crush on her. I want her to take me into the woods and show me how to shoot a moose. Me, a Parkite who worships our moose like sacred cows. I'm ready to dig into moose burgers with a side of wild salmon. And I don't even like salmon. So what chance does the old white-haired guy with a bald spot the size of Denali National Park have against "Sarah the Barracuda?" That's right, that's what they called her when she was the starting point guard on her high school basketball team. She's not only cute as a sea otter, she can run Exactly what is update of historic guidelines supposed to accomplish? Park City I attended the August 25th public meeting about the land management and historic guidelines. For personal reasons. I have been unable to attend the last meetings, though as an owner of an unimproved Old Town property, I am very interested in the future of Old Town and the .decisions currently being made. There seemed to be a lot of anger on both sides, but the strongest impression I got was this: Why? Nobody seems to know why exactly this is being done, what exactly is being improved, and who is going to benefit. I think before the city moves forward you need to be able to give coherent answers to the following questions: 1. Why are the historic guidelines and land management codes being revamped? What is wrong with the current codes and guidelines that the city is hoping to fix (from a planning point of view)? 2. What does the city hope to Kenny Levine - The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER AndyBernhard Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Pat Parkinson Joe Lair Adia Waldburger Greg Marshall Lindsay McClure Andrew Kirk Contributing writers Tom Clyde Teri Orr Jay Meehan Joan Jacobson Larry Warren •-4 GUEST EDITORIAL by Melissa Kennedy-Band a fast break like Kobe Bryant, then dash out the back door of the gym and drop a moose at 500 yards. They're showing pictures of her in camo with an assault rifle. Half of America expects her to personally track down Osama and plug him right between the eyes, then head home to whip up some a nice moose lasagna for the family. Well, I bet Barack can beat her in a game of one-on-one. That^ it! He'll challenge her to a pickup game. He played a little high school ball, too. "Sarah the Barracuda1- is going down. Who needs debates when we can play a little round ball? ' achieve by changing the guidelines Help the layman understand what and how will the proposed changes exactly it is that is being debated improve Old Town for the home- and you will find a lot more people owners, architects AND the city filling to show up and let their overall? ..voices be heard. .. I think many of the people at 3. How does the city propose to ,the meeting were asking these keep arbitrary guidelines from pro- questions but not getting any spehibiting homeowners and design- cific answers. Can the city point to ers freedom to build a livable struc- something that has been built since ture? 1995 and say, "We don't want this to happen again," or is the current 4. Which specific codes are being planned code change pressure changed and why? from people who want Old Town to stay the same as it was when If the city truly wants the aver- they first moved to Park City age citizen involved, a bigger effort umpteen years ago? needs to be made to inform A few months back The Park him/her of the current regulations. Record published a poll. The peoThe people at last night's meeting ple polled who were visiting Park were throwing out and discussing City or had moved here within the codes like it was their business. past few years overwhelmingly Well, it was, in fact, as most of them loved Old Town. The numbers were contractors or architects. The went down for the people who had few "average Joes" at the meeting lived here over a certain number of mostly kept silent and tried to get years. If we (as a city) were really informed. A simple one-page fact doing such a bad job preserving or question-and-answer sheet Old Town and "ruining" the chardetailing some or all of the ques- acter, wouldn't everyone who saw tions above would be a great way it think so? In fact, it seems that to start. The current 70- and 87- the people who are most distressed page links to the historic guidelines by the changing face of Old Town are not a quick and simple read. are long-time residents who don't like any of the changes Park City is going through right now. 1 too miss the days of unleashed dogs on Main Street and nine ski bums living in a two-bedroom Park Avenue shack, but love it or loathe it, Park City is growing up and, as charming as we all thought the shacks were, they aren't great places to live. The homes in Old Town were never built to last. They don't have any craftsmanship, nothing to preserve except the historic character. In many cases the houses are downright dangerous. I am afraid that by changing the code in too restrictive a way the city will end up penalizing the owners who haven't already rebuilt and creating a "before the code changed" mentality that will hurt the value of unimproved property and escalate those who have already rebuilt. I also think the city needs to be careful in dictating style. Homeowners should still have the final say, within the code guidelines, as to how the finished product of their home is going to look. I think that everybody agrees the land management code and the historic guidelines need some work, but the city needs to take a step back and figure out exactly what you want to accomplish before you start making the laws. Take input from everyone, then decide how to change the codes in a way that will make sense. Obviously, you aren't going to make everybody happy, but as Peter Bames said at the meeting, the two sides probably aren't really that far apart. We are all reasonable people. Lastly, I would like to say that, unlike many at the meeting, I have had nothing but a wonderful experience with the city's planning department. I have yet to build on my property, but every time I have come to the planning department with a question, whoever is behind the desk (on the other end of the phone/email) has gone out of their way to help me. I really appreciate all of the hard work everybody is putting into keeping this a wonderful place to live. Tempers run high when property rights and values are at stake, but it is good for us to all keep in mind that all those on both sides of the issue are fighting hard because we love Park City so much. Editor's assistant Alisha Self Copy editor David Hampshire Special sections editor A.M. Stofko ADVERTISING Classified advertising Cristin Hicks Office manager Circulation manager Accounting manager Advertising director Advertising sales Kandilee Snyder Lacy Brundy Kristi Ruppert Valerie Darning Wendy Halliday Kimberly Gallagher, Lori Gull Jennifer Musial Arwa Jundi Erin Donnelly Editorial production David Ryder Photographers Scott Sine Production director Matt Gordon Production Scott Schlenker ; Ann Marie Kloogh Anastasia Varlakova Sarah Ely Pat Hamaker Amy Barrus PRESS ROOM General Manager Head Pressman Pressman Controller Office Staff Bill Olsen Don Ferney Jimmy Elkins Valerie Waite Sandy Trost Ethel Bradford Mail Room Marilyn Case Ray Scoggins Distribution Matt Conrad ( *:7Z^-^-.^jL~^ PHOTOS BY SCOTT SINE T n 6 I 6 C 0 l U Asked around Park City Has the Democratic Convention influenced your decision on who to vote for this election? Jenny Hart, Park City Yes, it has influenced my decision who to vote for. It's a good thing it was so highly televised because it brought a lot of issues to light. Alex Stein, Park City Watching the convention only confirmed my vote for Obama. I 0 Jeff Whimpey, Salt Lake City No, it really did not change my opinion. I think experience has to be the main influence for me, whether it's voting Democratic or Republican. Josh Flicker, Salt Lake City I don't think it has necessarily changed my opinion. I have been watching the keynote speakers and they have inspired me but have not changed my view. Chris Taylor, Park City The convention has not influenced my decision because I have been working so much. But I plan on'doing a lot of, research. |