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Show Opinion and Commentary 2 Vernal Express Wednesday, August 23, 1995 JACK-STRAWS- JackWallls Gambling doesn't pay More evidence has been coming in to demonstrate that gambling causes more problems than the windfall revenues it is claimed to bring in. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois in a report to the U.S. Senate recently gave some insight on the influence of gambling. Simon notes that state lotteries are a cowardly way for legislatures to increase revenue without going to the people with the truth about the state's needs and recommending tax increases. It has been shown that a problem gambler can cost society anywhere from the most conservative estimate of $13,200 to $30,000 per year. Gambling brings an increase in crime, child abuse and neglect, divorce and suicide. Since the poor are most vulnerable to its lures, money is diverted from the necessities to lottery tickets tick-ets or slot machines. At the same time, the promise of increased jobs and tax relief have not proven true. Most created jobs are minimum-wage positions, taxes have often increased, established businesses have been forced to close. Simon cites the case of Atlantic City where 40 percent per-cent of the restaurants not associated with gambling have closed, one-third of the city's retail businesses have closed and unemployment is now the state's highest. Crime there has almost tripled while the population pop-ulation dropped by one-fourth. Simon offers some good advice to his fellow lawmakers law-makers in the Senate: Establish sensible limits if gambling gam-bling cannot be abolished. He recommends establisi-hing establisi-hing a short-term commission to study the problems. Further, he advises such a commission to look at taxing the gross revenue of new gambling enterprises and providing revenue-sharing assistance to states, Indian tribes and local governments that do not have any form of legalized gambling. He also says lotteries should comply with Federal Trade Commission truth-in-advertising standards. Why should the New York lottery be allowed to advertise: "We won't stop until everyone's a millionaire"? million-aire"? Since 1963, when New Hampshire started its lotterythe lot-terythe first since 1893 when the federal government prohibited all lottery sales-gambling in its various forms has spread until now 42 states have legalized it. Utah has wisely chosen not to follow the example of other states in embracing gambling. But surrounding states' enterprises lure Utahns. Casinos, parimutuel gambling and lotteries abound while few of the promised benefits to residents have materialized. While other states have become addicted to the siren song of easy winnings, Utah should count itself lucky for having the wisdom of not adding the problems associated with gambling to its list. PUBLIC FORUM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What is your opinion? The Express welcomes letters let-ters from its readers concerning any subject pertinent perti-nent to the Uintah Basin. There are no restrictions as to contents, if not libelous or vindictive and of reasonable length (two typewritten double spaced pages). Letters must be submitted exclusively to the Express and bear the writer's full name, signature, phone number and address. The name or names of those submitting letters must appear on all published pub-lished letters. All letters are subject to condensation. condensa-tion. Letters express the opinion of the writer and are not necessarily the opinion of the Express Editor. Power bills Dear Editor, For several months now, Congress has been working on legislation that would cause our monthly electric bills to go up in what amounts to nothing more than a hidden tax increase. Proposals to auction the Nation's Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs). are moving forward. With every step these proposals take, the threat to consumers grows stronger and stronger. Congressman John Doolittle from California, is the chief sponsor of these proposals. He is also the chairman chair-man or the subcommittee that will determine the fate of the PMA. Consumers need to get involved. We all need to write to our representatives and senators and ask them not to support Rep. Doolittle's proposed electric rate increases. increas-es. I hope that our elected representatives will listen to their constituents and not cast a vote that will make our monthly electric rates go up. I know I can't afford to pay more and I doubt that many could. You can write to your U.S. Representative and the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515. You can write to your senators at the U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510. RANDY VINCENT Jensen Preserve Utah's wilds Dear Editor, Last month my family and I had the great pleasure of vacationing in Utah. We came to Utah because your state has wild undammed rivers to float, beautiful roadless road-less mountains and canyons to hike, wildlife to watch and clean air to breath. We didn't come to Utah to look at cows, dodge ATVs, see shopping malls and condominiums, condo-miniums, oil rigs or strip mines or to' breathe polluted air. (We can do all that right here in Virginia.) In the course of our two week vacation, we spent over $4,000 in the beautiful state of Utah. We spent money for a guided five day trip on the Yampa and Green River. We spent money at wonderful bed and breakfast in Salt Lake City, Vernal and Moab. We spent money on meals in Roosevelt, Loa, Escalante and Scipio. We spent money at a Ute Pow-Wow in Fort Duchesne, a VERNAL Express (ISSN 0892-1091) Published every Wednesday for $19.00 per year in shopping area and $30 per year out of shopping area within state and $33 per year out of state within USA by the Vernal Express Publishing Company, 54 North Vernal Avenue, Vernal, Utah 84078. Second class postage paid at Vernal, Utah 84078. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VERNAL EXPRESS, P.O. Box 1 000, Vernal Utah 84078. Jack R. Wallis Publisher Steven R. Wallis Editor Vicki Feldt Lifestyle Writer Kathleen Irving Staff Writer Eric F. Pye Sports Writer Janet D. Wallis ' Advertising Marcia Henry Advertising Melanie Morrison Circulation & Classified Ads Phone 789-351 1 - FAX 789-8690 Member of Utah Press Association and National Newspaper Association Area correspondent Lapoint Martene McClure, 247-2552 Whiterocks Virginia Ferguson, 353-4584 Manila Clara Robinson, 784-3436 Trldell ' Lorna McKee, 247-2350 Dtadllnat News Monday 5 p.m Display Advertising Tuesday 11 a m. Classified Advertising Tuesday 11am lodge at Fish Lake, purchased lovely crafts made in Utah, in Vernal and Escalante, donated money to the museum at Filmore and bought groceries, gas, books and sundries in more places than I can remember. There were 15 other people on our float trip who visited vis-ited your beautiful state for wilderness vacations, and in doing so spent money on their rooms, meals, gifts, car rental, gear books and so forth. We encountered hundreds hun-dreds of people in Fishlake National Forest, at Upper Calf Creek and various BLM sites in Arches and Bryce National Park, enjoying the wilderness of your beautiful beauti-ful state and spending money, just like us. I would like to see Utah have a strong wilderness bill because I think we need beautiful wild places to explore and we should save these places for our grandchildren's grand-children's joy and well being. Wilderness preserves the diversity and resilience of the natural world which provides pro-vides our medicines, food and shelter; a healthy and diverse environment will continue to provide for the needs of our grandchildren. And I think it is a great wrong to destroy the irreplaceable variety of life and beauty that God has blessed us with. Our children would not forgive us. You, as a Utah natjve, may also want to preserve your wilderness for another reason: it will bring me, as.well as thousands of other river floaters, canyon hikers, bird watchers, fishermen, photographers, painters, rock climbers, mountain bikers, cross country skiers, horseback horse-back riders, hunters and other vacationers back to enjoy a beautiful wild Uintas. And we're all going to spend a lot of money in Utah, enjoying the wilderness areas, like no other that God has created (and man has not yet destroyed.) MARTIN ALBERT, MD Batesville, Virginia Friendly help Dear Editor, We recently made a trip to Vernal in hopes of finding the Hamaker Homestead. We thought we could drive right to it but soon found out that the area had changed too much. We were quite discouraged and thought we might get some help from those people who lived around the area. When we stopped at one of the houses the lady there was very nice. She took us to where the old Glines Ward was. We were sure we could find it from there. Once again we found ourselves unable to locate the farm where dad grew up. We went to a gas station and the young lady there helped call a local gentleman gen-tleman who might be able to help with directions. With still another attempt we could not find the right place. With another phone call to Mr. Hunting we knew we could find it. As I was talking on the phone to Mr. Hunting, a couple who had beep talking to my dad offered to take us to where the directions had been given. As we followed their lead we were really touched by their kindness. As we go closer to the horn-stead, horn-stead, our guides would stop and show us the different places we were trying to find. As we came to another Oust 4Mb the same around) herewith all our kids backer lin school 0 stop, dad recognized the old cabin of one of his relatives. rela-tives. We turned a corner and were lead down a road that we had been down several times before. As they drove down this road they came to a stop and then pulled ahead just a little further. When they came to the second stop, they had stopped exactly in front of where dad's homestead used to be. The excitement of finally finding it after two hours of driving was so neat. We got our dad and walked up the road and then drove up to the top of the hill. We drove around the canal road and dad told one story that my children and I will not forget. We found the foundation of the old home and it was really fun to stand in the same place where my grandparents used to live. MARTIN HAMAKER COREENA HAMAKER JOHNSON Price Positive, negative Dear Editor, The positive first. Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity of watching two beautiful parades: one in Bountiful and the other the Juty 24th in Salt Lake City. There were some fine floats and high school hands. We were so impressed with our own Uintah High School marching band. Having been so long associated with Uintah High School (and my wife led the band when she was a student there) we were so proud to see our band look and play so outstandingly. The leaders, students stu-dents in the band and our entire community deserve to be very proud. Let's hope this success story continues and grows to even greater levels of excellence. Now for the negative: You have all heard the expression expres-sion of "the unhappy camper." Well, we along with a large number of other campers were very unhappy when we arrived earlier this summer, expecting to camp at Iron Springs, only to find an array of signs restricting the camps on the south side of the road. The signs indicated the more than a quarter mile of campsites camp-sites were available by reservation only. I called the Forest Service for a clarification and to register our disgust. dis-gust. I was told it cost $50 (I believe per night). We were there over July 4 and there wks -not one single party on the entire south side while armies of campers were piled in on top of each other on the north side. While we recognize the enclosed area of Iron Springs ought well be available for family reunions, company parties, etc. but why close off the rest of the area? Our observation is that few are willing to pay that outrageous price and will take their activities elsewhere where they do not have to pay, thus leaving the campsites camp-sites unavailable for hundreds who have used these facilities for years. If you have an opinion concerning this situation take advantage of registering your concern con-cern as we were invited to do in an article appearing earlier this summer in the Vernal Express. CURT HUNS AKER Vernal West side school Dear Editor, Many residents of Ballard and west Uintah County are desirous that our children continue to attend Union High School beyond the current contract expiration date. We also would like our younger students given the opportunity to continue to attend the Roosevelt schools. Both school boards have come to a consensus that the only way to make this possible is to re-align the present school district boundaries. We feel that this is the most simple and equitable solution. Some of the obvious benefits are: Duchesne School District would be more fairly compensated by being paid the same tax levy from west Uintah County residents as Duchesne County residents. resi-dents. An earlier integration and association of students from both districts would improve relationships. . Students would have the opportunity for more depth and diversity of programs and facilities at an ear-lierage. ear-lierage. The convenience of using facilities adjacent to Union School, ie; USU, UBATC and LDS seminaries would be afforded to our children. There would be a more cost effective per-student ratio. School boards and administrators could better plan for growth and facility needs. And most of all, security for our children they would finally know where they would be attending school next year and the years after. Most of the opposition to moving the district lines has come from those who are fearful of losing their jobs at West and Todd, or from those who cannot distinguish the difference between district and county or town boundaries. Many rumors have perpetuated strong emotions and raised fears. Simple logic is the best approach to addressing these concerns. No matter which district operates the present schools, they will remain open and need teachers, aides, janitors, cooks etc., to staff them. As for one entity (either municipal or county) dissolving another and annexing them against their will, it simply is not possible under state law. Those who perpetuate this notion could lay their fears to rest with one phone call to anyone familiar with municipal or state law. We appreciate the association we have with Duchesne County residents. We shop, work, attend high school, church, social and service organizations and celebrations with you now. We hope you will allow us to become even more closely associated through your schools. We expect to pay our fair share. We can See Schools on page 3 Voice of Business Privatization is the hey to fixing budget by Dr. Richard L. Lesher, President U.S. Chamber of Commerce WASHINGTON - The 104th Congress, in a deadly serious effort to stem the hemorrhage of red ink from the federal budget, has vowed to eliminate more than $650 billion in spending over the next seven years. The loyal opposition opposes this unprecedented reduction in federal spending because it involves many programs near and dear to the hearts of the champions of big government, and because they contend such a wholesale abandonment of various activities cannot help but have a dampening impact on the economy. The latter argument is compelling. The $650 billion in spending slated for extinction represents not only a host of entrenched programs, but also tens of thousands thou-sands of jobs. We cannot simply cut all of those people peo-ple loose at once without causing many of them intense hardship, at least in the short run, with obvious consequences for the economy. The most logical solution to this quandary is neither to abolish the programs outright or to continue them in their present form. Rather, it is to cut them loose from Uncle Sam's purse strings and see if they can make it on their own as competitive providers of viable ser- . vices in the free enterprise marketplace. The idea is not far-fetched. The problem with many of these federal programs is not that they are foolish or without merit, but that the federal government should not be doing them. There are built-in inefficiencies ineffi-ciencies and conflicts of interest in any government enterprise that conspire against efficiency and productivity. produc-tivity. Effective use of personnel is the major stumbling stum-bling block for it is almost impossible in the bureaucracy bureau-cracy to hire and fire people according to merit and productivity. Also, when politicians control the purse strings, they invariably demand spending in their own states and districts regardless of its utility. Of course, inefficiencies and conflicts of interest exist in the private sector as well as the public sector, but there is a dynamic force at work in the private sector sec-tor that mitigates against such things the threat of bankruptcy. It tends to keep management focused and labor honest. Many of Uncle Sam's most expensive programs should and can be profitable operations independent of taxpayer largesse. The Tennessee Valley Authority, for example, can survive on its own saving taxpayers $770 million over five years. Privatizing the Federal Power Administration would save us $4.8 billion in that same time. The Sallie Mae Corporation, with assets of more than $54 billion, has been outspoken in its efforts to sever its ties to the federal government. Privatization of Sallie Mae and its student loan services would relieve the government of substantial liability associated associ-ated with the loan portfolio. Some other federal programs pro-grams that should survive quite nicely on their own include the National Helium Reserves, Amtrak, the U.S. Geological Survey maps program, the Naval Petroleum Reserves, the Government Printing Office, Air Traffic Control and the National Weather Service. Of course, every federal agency activity could be operated more efficiently and cost-effectively through greater reliance on contracting with private firms. Government employee unions oppose contracting out because it means fewer jobs in the bureaucracy, but that is the point. The private sector is more productive and efficient than the public sector. In this era of austerity aus-terity and tight budgets, it only makes sense for Congress to mandate greater reliance on private contractors. con-tractors. Privatization is key to moderating the trauma associated associ-ated with wholesale elimination of government programs, pro-grams, and to assuring continuance of those programs which are actually useful. |