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Show A-19 SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, NOVEMBER 1-4, 2008 www.parkrecord.com EDITORIAL ELECTION RESULTS Inaugural County Council race will benefit from high voter turnout S ummit County citizens couldn't have asked for a better year to launch their inaugural County Council. Thanks to the enormous wave of interest in the presidential election, the five new councilors will be picked by what Summit County Clerk Kent Jones anticipates will be the biggest voter turnout in the county's history. Not only that - voters have a strong slate of 11 candidates with wide-ranging skills and interests from which to choose. All 11 have spent the last month attending local forums in North and South Summit, Snyderville and Park City to explain how they would tackle tough issues like private property rights, development, traffic, the environment, immigration and the economy. In our view, all have proven their sincere commitment to safeguarding the county's future. We believe, however, that there is one candidate in each race that merits our endorsement. That support, by the way, is not based on the candidates' party affiliation. In fact, partisan affiliations have no real use at the county level and only serve to enable party chicanery during the primaries. Above all we encourage residents not to vote a straight ticket, but instead judge each individual candidate based on his or her qualifications, track record and positions on the issues important to you. Among the contenders for the four-year Seat A post, The Record endorses incumbent County Commissioner Sally Elliott who has demonstrated an unparalleled zeal for serving her constituents. Elliott's most notable accomplishments have come as a result of her unwavering support of trails, open space and the environment. As one who has served on both a commission and a council, her guidance will be especially valuable during the county's transition to the new form of government. In the race for the four-year Seat B post. The Record supports Claudia McMullin who has shown both enthusiasm and leadership skills during her tenure on the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission. While her opponent's legacy of a lifetime spent in the county is laudable, as outside development pressures close in on Summit County, we believe McMullin's more diverse background - including time spent working in New York City - will be more valuable to the council as it deals with the current financial turbulence across the country. The Record also supports John Hanrahan for the fouryear Seat C post. In addition to dealing with issues related to land use and taxes, county leaders must be attuned to the health and welfare needs of their constituents. As a founder of the People's Health Clinic, which serves the uninsured in Summit and Wasatch counties, Hanrahan set the gold standard for community service. Park City and Summit County are often mistakenly portrayed as uniformly upscale. In truth, both sides of the county are made up of many diverse yet extremely interdependent components. Hanrahan understands that the health and well-being of the county as a whole depends on providing services across socioeconomic and geographic boundaries and will reinforce that perspective on the new council. Chris Robinson is the best candidate for the twoyear term in Seat D. As a land conservation expert and a rancher, he represents both sides of one of the most polarizing issues in the county - private property rights versus preservation of open space. For the two-year Seat E post, The Record recommends David Ure. As a former long-time state lawmaker, Ure has often gone to bat for both his rural and his resort constituents. He is well versed in Utah politics and could help the county negotiate with a sometimesimpermeable legislature. Though he is basically a conservative, Ure bucked his party and initiated groundbreaking legislation that made it possible for immigrants to drive legally in the U.S. and for the children of undocumented immigrants who attended high school in Utah to qualify for in-state college tuition rates. Ure's background as a Kamas rancher would also help maintain a fair balance of representation for the East Side of the county on the new council. Summit County residents were deeply divided over adopting the new form of government but, judging by the caliber of the candidates who are running, we are confident the county will be better served by the new five-member council. • • • • Look for local results as they become |j available election ''4 night: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR School district needs Aguilar on board Editor: As a frequent volunteer in the Park City School District for the last 10 years, I have witnessed Gerd Holmsen Aguilar's dedication to our schools and our kids. I have seen her often tutoring students at McPolin or helping out in the teacher workroom. I appreciate that she uses her experience as a retired educator to help make our wonderful school even better. Now we have the opportunity to put Gerd's knowledge and experience to greater use. Before she became a school volunteer, Gerd was a public school teacher for 40 years, teaching K-8 and ESL. She's also been a principal and directed a district home school program. And if that's pot enough, she has 25 years of legislative education experience as a representative for the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association. As much as I love having Gerd at McPolin, we need to share her throughout our district. Having her on our school board would be the perfect opportunity to do so. Please let's not waste this valuable resource. Join me in voting for Gerd Holmsen Aguilar for Park City School Board. She's the best choice because we need an educator on our Board of Education. George Dymalski Park City Whatever your choices, be sure to vote Editor: As a 36-year, loving and caring and concerned citizen of Summit County, I am thankful that so many people have offered to serve all of us through the issues facingour beautiful county. Sally Elliott is a military wife, standing by her husband and son who have served us all. Sally has served the community in many ways through the years, and more recently has shown through her efforts as a County Commissioner that she cares about ALL issues of Summit County - cares about ALL of us, East, West, North or South. She knows we are one county, and we all need each other to keep the magic of Summit County, Utah! Sally has shown that she works tirelessly, listens from all sides on any matter before she decides and then carefully deliberates, before making any decision. I will vote for Sally! John Hanrahan is one of the "good" people (possibly one of the best) I have ever had the opportunity to know. He and Sally both are past presidents of Park City Rotary - a group that meets and exists to SERVE. As a doctor, John is the founder of our local People's Heath Clinic, as well as the Hope Alliance, and assists in local, nationwide, and worldwide efforts to give medical attention to those who need it, including the fundamental lactors of food, water and education. Hefi knows. bp.w to,wotk vvith,bu4gets,;.tQ^ mafe serviceaUiappen. If you do not know him, I urge you to spend five minutes with him, to know that he is a great soul with a great mind, and a sense of humor, and that we should be thankful for his offer to serve us all. I will vote for John! Claudia McMullin is a person who has proven her dedication to the county through her service as a Planning Commissioner and chair, trying to balance all of the issues of growth vs impacts of that growth, in context of the entire county. As a caring citizen, but also as a knowledgeable land-planner, she is able to explore all sides of every issue - both public and private - and she will serve us greatly. She cares about controlling traffic and congestion, protecting wildlife, maintaining water quality, and preserving our way of life. She always comes to the table completely prepared with a review of all the facts, listening to both sides, withholding any decision until she hears all public comments one of the most important factors needed in an effective elected official. I will vote for Claudia! VOTE, whatever your decision (I will also vote for Chris Robinson and David Ure) ,7-,,but mostly, just VOTE! . ' Donna VanBuren Park City The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Pat Parkinson Joe Lair Adia Waldburger Greg Marshall Andrew Kirk Contributing writers Tom Clyde Ten Orr Jay Meehan Joan Jacobson Larry Warren Steve Phillips Editor's assistant Alisha Self Copy editor David Hampshire Special sections editor A.M. Stolko ADVERTISING 1 -•. Classified advertising C'nstih Kick's Office manager Circulation manager Accounting manager Advertising director Advertising sales GUEST EDITORIAL Lets reignite immigration-reform discussions at the national level more than doubled the number of border patrol agents. We have seen an increase in sanctions In the past few months, The against employers who knowingly Park Record has run a number of hire undocumented immigrants articles on Utah Senate Bill 81, and we have intensified efforts to which attempts to provide a state prosecute workers who use counresponse to immigration issues. terfeit documents to enter this What perhaps was not clear is that country. Recognizing this progress, senSB 81 has passed, is due to go into effect next summer, and debate sible immigration solutions must now is seemingly too late. I believe find a fair and just way of bringing this is very much a national issue the 10 to 12 million undocumented and one that warrants reopened workers currently living in the U.S. into a legal system of employment. discussion on the federal level. As an initial matter, it is impor- Under such a system, these worktant to recognize the progress that ers would be required to pay all has been made on the immigration appropriate taxes and abide by all issue in recent years. Immigration of our laws. Many argue that, in this finanand customs officials now work closely with local law-enforcement cial climate, we should preserve agencies to identify and deport jobs here for U.S. citizens, misunillegal immigrants with criminal derstanding the economics of the histories. National security has situation. To suggest that all illegal improved dramatically with immigrants now living in the increases in personnel and the use United States should simply be of the new technology. We have deported would amount to the loss By Melissa Pignatelli O'Brien, Park City of millions of jobs overseas, and would result in, by some estimates, over $600 billion lost in economic output. We must acknowledge the contributions of immigrants and the need for their labor if we can have a fair and balanced immigration reform discussion. Beyond the economic impact, the mass deportation of all undocumented workers is quite simply not the right thing to do. Immigrants have long played an important role in building a strong America, and their contributions can be seen everywhere, every day. Even in a slowing economy, in many areas of the country, and indeed, in Park City, one can find many Help Wanted signs and immigrants are stepping up to fill these jobs. In addition, currently over 38,000 non-U.S. citizens serve in our military, A state-by-state solution to immigration is not the answer. SB 81's attempt to solve immigration difficulties in a piecemeal manner only gets in the way of a broader solution. This is a national issue not limited to the boundaries of a specific state. Congress and the president need to find a solution so that individual states are not forced to make short-sighted decisions that prove harmful to their economies. Until, and even after, the federal government comes to comprehensive immigration solutions, we as a society need to do a better job than we are currently doing. Stories of workplace abuses against immigrant families, detainees in federal lockups dying without adequate medical care, harassment and refusal to pay wages fairly earned are rampant and horrifying. Further, the backlash against immigrants living here legally, whether such backlash is found in the workplace, on the streets, or against children try- ing to get an education, suggests that the country has forgotten the very principles for which it stands. Several weeks ago, Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together ("MATT") unveiled an advertising campaign calling on the new president and Congress to quit pointing fingers and find a way to solve our nation's immigration policy. While composed of Mexicans and Americans, MATT seeks comprehensive immigration policy for all immigrants as this issue reaches far beyond Mexico. MATT is committed to working with leading business and civic organizations to find solutions to critical immigration issues. In addition, MATT seeks to encourage Mexicans and Americans to come together to bridge the gaps of understanding and living so that we may truly prosper together. I invite anyone interested to visit MATT.org to learn more about the organization. •• 1 , Kandilee Snyder Lacy Brundy Kate Fischer Valerie Deming Lori Gull Jennifer Musial Arwa Jundi Erin Donnelly Lynne Giuffre Blair Gordon Pamela Graves Photographers David Ryder 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 PHOTOS BY DAVID RYDER TMG Asked at Park City What do you plan on doing on election night? Dana Stutzman, Park City We'll probably have a little election party at our house. Sherry Baltz, Park City I'm going to vote and then I'm going to watch it on TV. Max Paap, Heber City I'll probably be at home watching the returns ... and watching hockey. Judith Chavez and Jorge Sanchez, Park City We're going to watch it on TV with family. |