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Show A-13 Wed/Thurs/Fri, May 2-4, 2012 EDITORIAL Coalville voters should consider success of other rec centers R LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Students, parents need a say in school budget Editor: I have heard at school that there may be teachers losing their jobs due to budget cuts. I also understand that the people deciding which teachers will be staying are a handful of people who are on the school board. As a student in seventh grade at Ecker Hill Middle School, it seems to me that the students and parents should have a say along with the school board which teachers should keep their jobs. Students in the school have first-hand experience with the teachers and our opinion should count. What is it that makes a good and effective teacher? In my opinion, a good teacher not only teaches the subject well but also creates a fun and welcoming learning environment. They have the ability to inspire confidence and creativity and, in those situations, learning is interesting and fun. I have had the privilege of having teachers such as this and it would be awful if they lost their jobs and other kids didn't get that benefit. I have heard that sometimes the last teacher hired will be the first teacher to go. What if that teacher is amazing and really connects with the students, boosts confidence and teaches really well? Why should a teacher like this lose his/ her job just because they haven't been in the school as long? I would suggest that the school board send around a survey to parents and students and get their opinion on the teachers in the school and use that as part of their decision-making process. I am sure that the school board is well aware of the challenges the school will face losing teachers, and were elected into those positions because they had a good grasp of what happens in the school, and are good at decision-making, but I also strongly feel the students' and parents' opinions should count. Nick D'Urso Seventh-grade student, Ecker Hill Middle School Thanks for 30 years of wonderful care, concern Editor: We thank The Park Record for publishing Dr. Bob Evers' guest editorial on March 28. It's a real treasure! How wonderful that he so eloquently shared his perspectives and his experiences that led to them. We join Karen Ekker (letter to The Park Record, April 18) in thanking Dr. Bob for the wonderful care and concern he has provided for our family for more than 30 years. We are sorry that he is leaving the clinic that he nurtured so lovingly for so many years. Dave & Mary Hanscom Park City How about a new wing at Treasure Mountain? Editor: I am a seventh graders at Ecker Hill Middle School and I will be going to Treasure Mountain Junior High School next year. My brother (who is an eighth grader) says the hallways at Treasure Mountain are really tiny. He says that, during passing periods, it's like swimming through a crowd of people. He says that there is no personal space and you are always being pushed into someone else while trying to get to your classes or your locker. I was wondering if something could be done about the crowded hallways. Maybe the school could add a new wing with additional classrooms, lockers, and hallway space. There would be three good sides to this change: There would be more hallway space; some TMJHS classes that have to be held at the high school could be moved into Treasure; and there could be more lockers - maybe not enough lockers that everyone has their own, but enough so some people don't have to share. I know, since there has been a huge budget cut in the school district, this probably won't be possible. But thank you for your time and consideration. Pauline Kneller Park City LETTERS POLICY The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. We ask that the letters adhere to the following guidelines. They must include the home (street) address and telephone number of the author. No letter will be published under an assumed name. Letters must not contain libelous material. Letters should be no longer than about 300 words (about 600 words for guest editorials) and should, if possible, be typed. We reserve the right to edit letters if they are too long or if they contain statements that are unnecessarily offensive or obscene. Writers are limited to one letter every seven days. Letters thanking event sponsors can list no more than 10 individuals and/or businesses. Send your letter to: editor@parkrecord.com The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Scott Iwasaki Christopher Kamrani Megan Yeiter Sarah Moffitt Gina Barker Contributing writers Tom Clyde Jay Meehan Teri Orr Amy Roberts Copy editor David Hampshire ADVERTISING Classified advertising Jennifer Lynch Office manager Tiffany Rivera Circulation manager Lacy Brundy Accounting manager Kate Fischer Advertising director Valerie Spung Advertising sales Lori Gull Rachael Young-Tilton Barbara Yarbenet Jodi Hecker Erin Donnelly Photographers Grayson West Tyler Cobb Production director Matt Gordon Production Scott Schlenker Pat Hamaker Megan Maynard esidents of North Summit are understandably skeptical of any attempt to raise their property taxes. In these economic times, when local governments and school districts are all pleading for additional funds, homeowners are wise to keep a tight grip on their wallets. This week, in response to residents' concerns, North Summit Recreation District officials decided to scale back plans for a recreation center that would have required voter approval of a $15 million bond. Instead they are planning to reduce the budget to $8.5 million. We believe residents in and around Coalville should consider loosening their purse strings when it comes to building a public recreation center. They need to look no farther than their neighbors in Snyderville and Kamas for examples of recreation facilities that have been whole heartedly embraced by their communities. When the South Summit School District proposed building an aquatic and fitness center in Kamas, some residents were skeptical. Granted, the economy in 2004 was more robust, but the plans were ambitious, and some voiced legitimate concerns that the center would not be self sustaining. Those fears proved to be unfounded. The facility, which includes a climbing wall, indoor track, racquetball courts and large indoor pool, is busy year round and even draws visitors from the west side of the county. Similarly, it took residents in the Snyderville Basin several years to come to a consensus on floating a bond to build a fieldhouse. Now the facility is almost always programmed to maximum capacity. It provides indoor space for many leagues, teams and clubs to sharpen their skills while wait- ing for the snow to melt and has become a vibrant place for social, educational and athletic events. Today, it is likely that taxpayers in those communities would agree they get their money's worth for the annual investment they make in the form of property taxes. We'd also be willing to bet that current taxpayers are grateful that the original planners didn't scrimp at the outset. Also, in addition to providing programs and facilities for their own families, the centers in Kamas and the Basin (as well as the public rodeo and recreation complex in Oakley) have stimulated local business by hosting special events, something we think Coalville merchants would welcome. North Summit has not yet felt the growth pressures that hit the Basin in the 1980s and '90s or South Summit in the first decade of this millennium. If not for the recession that trounced the housing market in 2008, North Summit would probably be seeing record construction figures now. Instead, according to the last Census, the population in Coalville actually declined. That has made taxpayers even more wary. But we would argue, that is even more reason to make a bold investment in a forward-thinking recreation center. If Coalville residents splurge on the $15 million facility, the bond will cost the owner of an average-priced home $179 per year. If they opt for the smaller facility, it will cost about $101. We would suggest that opting for the larger facility would be a wise investment in the future. Either way, though, we are certain that North Summit residents would enjoy their new facility and we applaud those who are supporting the project. GUEST EDITORIAL Park City, Summit County need to work for residents, not developers By Don Jacobs Park City Over the last several years many - probably most - of our Summit County residents have been frustrated to see the county approve more and more development. Many of our current residents moved to Park City because of the charm of a ski-resort town. Each time that we approve new projects, we see a little of our charm diminish. One of the main concerns that the county should be considering is how not to lose the tourist attraction of our wonderful historic ski town. Tourism is our Golden Goose, so let's not kill it. Park City and Summit County need to be careful about approving any new developments, changing any zoning, or increasing any density. The county should not offer or encourage new development by offering increased density for any reason. It is my opinion that neither the federal government nor state government should be involved in or encourage land development issues except in cases of eminent domain for the public good. Land-use and zoning changes should be under local control, city or county, and any land-use changes should be made only with the support of the majority of the local residents. The city and county should be working for the residents and not for developers. If a landowner or a developer would like a zoning change, they should first be required to present their plans to adjacent residents and, after they have the written support of the majority of adjacent property owners, then take their request to the County Planning and Building Department. Govern- In my opinion, we do not need a needs assessment, nor any new development, commercial or residential. So much has been approved over the past several years and has yet to be built." ment should not be involved in encouraging or offering public money to any new project. All new developments should be stand-alone projects based on supply and demand. The county is currently discussing a needs assessment before making changes to the General Plan. How can a "needs assessment" really tell us much? Does it consider the hidden inventory? Does it really know how many vacant homes and condos exist? Or how many homes have an extra bedroom or apartment to accommodate others? Or how many residents are planning to move from Park City in the near future or a couple of years from now? Or how many people are looking to move to Park City? If the county decides on requesting a needs assessment, it should include both property ownership and rentals within a normal commuting distance of 30 miles or 30 minutes, which would include Salt Lake to the west, Coalville to the northeast and Heber to the south. To consider otherwise would be meaningless. In my opinion, we do not need a needs assessment, nor any new development, commercial or residential. So much has been approved over the past several years and has yet to be built. How about considering a moratorium on all new proposed projects until the already approved projects have been built and completed? This might take five to 10 years and so let it be. Once the approved projects have been completed, then let supply and demand take over, with the approval of the majority of property owners. In the past, several other resort communities have implemented building moratoriums which slowed development enough to keep their charm. GUEST EDITORIAL This is not the time to sit out the primary By Carolyn Frankenburg Park City The Park City School Board and the budget overages have been in the news an awful lot lately. As a result, we have a number of people vying for the school board seats up for election in November. Because four people have filed for the District 3 seat, there will be an important primary race on June 26. I support Tania Knauer for the District 3 school board seat. I have had the pleasure of working with Tania for many years on the creation and implementation of Park City's walkability project. She worked tirelessly organizing residents, evaluating positions and lobbying City Hall. Tania played a key role in persuading City Council to approve the citizen initiative to place a bond on the ballot in 2007 that would pay for walkability projects. Tania knows how to fight for a cause and has proven her commitment to our school district in numerous ways: • 7 years Community Council • Member - Teacher Assessment Committee • Executive board member - Utahns for Public Schools • Founder and organizer of The Park Record Spelling Bee Tania has the perfect educational background for this position as she holds her MBA and BS degrees in finance. She is fully qualified to represent our district with her varied management and finance experience. She has such a diverse background in business, and you can easily become We, in Park City, are notoriously poor at participating in primary elections. Let's turn this around. Put voting on your calendar or get that absentee ballot requested and sent in before June 26." familiar with it by visiting her Facebook page, Tania Knauer for Park City board of Ed. But the best thing about Tania, with all of her qualifications, is that she never pretends to be an expert and she is never afraid to say she doesn't have all the answers. Her work style is very collaborative and she is willing to always listen to new ideas. Tania is not a candidate who is appearing out of the woodwork. Her track record has proven her commitment to the school district. It is long and deep. She frequently attends school board meetings and has done so for 10 years. She pays close attention to the Utah Legislature and the many shenanigans that occur at the state capitol. She organizes citizens to take notice and speak out when our legislators introduce bills that compromise the quality of education in Park City and all of Utah. It would be unlikely to find any candidate who has done more for education in our community than Tania. So, please contact the county clerk's office (435-336-3204) to request your absentee ballot, because June 26 doesn't even sound like an election day. We, in Park City, are notoriously poor at participating in primary elections. Let's turn this around. Put voting on your calendar or get that absentee ballot requested and sent in before June 26. It's easy! We need to elect Tania Knauer to the District 3 seat on the Park City Board of Education. Please be sure to vote this primary election. |