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Show i i r' Page Two - The Springville Herald EDITORIAL Street change is difficult by Martin Conover This is a follow-up of last week's editorial concerning citizen's concern about our local government. We would like you to go back with us about 20 years ago when the big concern was did you live in the Hobble Creek Flood Plain or not, and at that time the federal government said that almost everyone in town lived in the flood plain except those who lived on the higher east bench. Months before this requirement for everyone to buy flood insurance and to get special dispensation from the federal government to allow any sale of property, many hearings were held which had been properly noticed in both The Springville Herald and the Provo Daily Herald. Well to make a long story short, everything happened that was told in all of the public hearings and all of the stories that were on the front page of both Heralds and in the end it seemed that the people most affected were the real estate agents because property in Springville became very hard to sell, prices on property prop-erty went down and things were very grim. And can you believe the hue and cry when all of these real estate agents showed up at city council to complain that no one had told them about how bad it was going to be and that no hearings had been held and on and on. When the evidence was presented to them and news stories were shown, they still didn't believe that what was happening really happened. Well, things worked out, the flood plain was made much smaller because of the fact that the creek was in a deep channel most of the way through town and all of the restrictions were taken away by the "all knowing and loving" federal government. We think what really happened was a group showed up somewhere some-where with baseball bats and got some federal employee to actually listen to what they were being told. In checking with the city no public hearings were held about closing 800 East Street from 900 South to 1000 South and making a cul-de-sac on the north end of that street. It was also told to us that pedestrian traffic would be allowed to cross 900 South so students needing to get to the junior high school or high school or walking to the stores could get through. We were also told that a automobile restraint would be built there to keep cars from bumping over the curbs. We have also learned that the city is going to place a 4-way stop on the intersection of 900 South and 800 East coming south. We were also told that school crossing guards could be placed at that intersection if it was deemed necessary by the city who pays for all of the crossing guards in the city. We think that it makes no sense to construct a round-about at that intersection. The new road is being constructed to allow another access to that portion of the city from main street to help reduce the heavy traffic presently using 400 South Street. We also hope that traffic presently using 800 East Street will be reduced. We feel that closing 800 East Street from 900 South to 1000 South Streets will not cause a lot of inconvenience to residents in; that area. There are about five streets to choose aside-from 800; East in getting to 900 South Street from 500 East to 1200 East." We also note that there have many residents living in town who would love to have their street closed by placing a cul-de-sac at the end of their street. We also note that the City tried to form a special improvement improve-ment district for widening 1000 South Street and the residents turned it down. 1000 South Street is narrow, poorly lighted and a hazard for the traffic which uses it and it is the way it is because the citizens who live on that street want it that way. We ask anyone in the city to try to come up or down 1000 South after dark and make the turn on 800 East going north before they close the street. It is probably one of the worst intersections in the city. We have missed it more than once as have many others who have driven on this street. We feel the city is doing right by making the new traffic, artery from Main Street to the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon and in the long run be the best and most good for all the citizens living in that large fast growing area of our city. We know that change is always tough, but feel that change is inevitable and this will be a change for the better. Mapleton police report Mapleton police had 38 calls last week. They arrested Sean Gabriel Archuleta, 704 W. 1100 South, Payson on an outstanding warrant. They also arrested George E. Mount, 136 E. 800 South, Orem on a warrant. (The nrTtrrrfrTl (i (USPS 51 3-060) Published Weekly by Art City Publishing Co., Inc. -161 South Main Street Springville, Utah 84663 Publisher Martin W. Conover Editor .....Patricia Conover Periodical Postage Paid in Springville, UT 84663 Postmaster send change of address notice to: The Springville Herald, 161 S. Main, Springville, UT 84663 Subscriptions in Advance per year $20.00 Out of County Subscriptions per year $23.00 Per Copy $0.50. Delivered by carrier, per month $2.00 ;"''...v Member Utah Press Association - November 13, 1996 There were two reports of thefts, one of an ATV at 295 S. 1200 East, and another of a Sony camcorder at 1320 W. 800 North. Our own Milky Way galaxy is only one of ten billion galaxies. In 1609, Henry Hudson made landfall in the New World at what is now coney Island. Letters to editor From time to time this newspaper news-paper receives letters to the editor that have the writer's name typed on the bottom, but they are not signed. We cannot publish letters that are not signed by the writer. We also reserve the right to edit or not print any letters that are libelous. . Springville police report Springville police went to check on a report of persons smoking and ended up arresting Jason Q. Vaughn, 560 E. Swen-son, Swen-son, Springville, for possession ! of amphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon. Jerry W: Vaughn, 560 E. Swenson, Spr-; ingville, was cited and released for possession of marijuana; Dustin Thomas Beckstrom, 1400 E. 400 North, Spanish Fork, was cited and released for possession of marijuana; Joshua M. Snow, 144 E. 200 South, Springville, was cited and released for posses--sion of marijuana; and Daniel Marx, 120 S. 400 East, Springville, Spring-ville, was cited and released for possession of marijuana. ; Jason Nephi Densmore, 1 13 C ; Street, Springville, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Curt A. Farrar, 218 N. 900 East,, Spanish Fork, was cited and released for assaultdomestic violence. Jamie Lynn Farrar, 528 , S. Main 3, Springville, was cited and released for assaultdomestic assaultdo-mestic violence. Andrew Russel Walburger, ', 42655 University, Provo, was ; arrested on a warrant, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia after a fight at ; Brookside Service. A male juvenile juve-nile was arrested at the high s school for possession of marijua-) na and possession of tobacco. Nelson D. Moyle, 2263; Greens Lane, Spanish Fork, was; arrested on a warrant. Tony, Lawrence Olsen, 95 E. 400 .North, Nephi, was cited for; ' possession of alcohol by a minor after a group of young people were asked to leave the high school grounds. Clinton H. Patten, 470 S. 490 West, Orem, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Three juveniles were referred to Juvenile Court after getting caught with marijuana at the middle school. Six more citizens received letters from a person in Nigeria requesting their bank account number. A window was broken out of a vehicle; another windshield wind-shield was cracked and soda pop poured on a vehicle parked at the high school; juveniles were seen smashing pumpkins; and charges are pending on a middle school boy for disorderly conduct on the school bus. An antique "Indian Motorcycle Motorcy-cle sign was taken from Art City Trolley, 256 N. Main. It was bolted to a roof of a storage shed, is porcelain with a steel frame, measures 3 feet by 5 feet and 5 feet by 5 feet. It is neon and worth $6,000. Other thefts included $114' taken from a locker at SHS; $30 from a PE locker at SHS; snow board taken from a ski rack at SHS and valued at $150; black purse taken from a porch on Swenson Ave.; money from a purse at 1045 N. 2000 West; day planner taken from a home containing con-taining $210; three bicycles; and a vehicle taken from 473 E. Center. Police had 206 calls last week. There are three things I always al-ways forget. Names, faces-the third I can't remember. Italo Svevo Who caused the national debt? by Keith C. Olsen A lie repeated often enough, may be accepted by some people as the truth. One such lie is, who is responsible for the deficit and national debt? The ultimate answer an-swer is we are. We the people who are willing to accept the handouts, and pay off, that a liberal, socialistic government wants to give. But, we are becoming a society soci-ety of victims, instead of accepting accept-ing the blame, we look around for a scapegoat. Thus, this oft- ; COMMENT PAGE Thank you mayor, council Dear Editor: ,. Nearly a 100 concerned citizens citi-zens attended the city council meeting on the evening of Election Elec-tion Day to voice their concerns and to have two of their representatives represen-tatives offer alternatives in regard to the intersection presently planned for 900 South and 800 East. I wish to compliment Joe Zeidner and Bill Bachler for the clarity and thoroughness with which they presented the two alternatives the local community had agreed upon-both of which seemed to offer greater safety and . more convenience at lower cost and with less impact on the environment envi-ronment than seems possible with the presently planned intersection. intersec-tion. I sincerely hope that careful consideration of those two alternatives alter-natives can lead to the adoption of one of them or to the development develop-ment of something even better. But I also wish to compliment Mayor Bertlesen and the members mem-bers of the Springville City Council Cou-ncil for giving thoughtful consideration consid-eration to the alternatives and for giving solid reasons for their reluctance to make any changes Preventing family break-up Dear Editor: Are you aware, we in government govern-ment are intensely concerned for the welfare of Utah's children. While we are making notable progress in serving troubled children and their families better, we are making less progress at deterring the causes of abuse and delinquent behavior. Each month, hundreds of children must leave their families and enter into the custody of the state. For years, I have looked and hoped for methods meth-ods which would prevent abuse and delinquency and keep these children with their families. I am writing to you about a revolutionary method of dealing Citizen input not wanted Dear Editor: Are the citizens of this city that will be affected by the new road being constructed at 800 East and 900 South opposed to this new road? NO! You don't need to be a rocket scientist in order to realize that Springville has grown bigger. The neighborhoods neighbor-hoods in this part of the city , were built on what used to be the outskirts of town. The roads were originally narrow farm roads that are entirely inadequate for the traffic they are now carrying. We are not UPSET that we need a new road. Is the closure of 800 East, and the creation of a cul-de-sac the only point of contention? NO! It is one point of concern, the closure of this north to south access will redirect the traffic of an area of approximately 14 square blocks onto roads that are inadequate. This road is used for our friends and neighbors to get to and from school, the grocery stores and to church on Sunday. It would be an inconvenience, but that is not the only issue. It will create a safety nightmare in adjacent neighborhoods whose roadways would now be saddled with the additional traffic. Not to mention school children that will now be crossing what amounts to a speedway. Are there alternatives alterna-tives to the current intersection design? YES! The alternatives would maintain the north to south connection without compromising anything. repeated lie that President Reagan is responsible for the increase in the deficit and the national debt, still continues to live. People who believe that lie, are woefully lacking in their knowledge of how government works. Presidents do not set spending levels. That power rest with congress. If you do not believe, what I say about who is to responsible for the deficit and the national debt, then use a little logic and reason. Tell me, is it fair to blame that would jeopardize the federal funding that is needed to create the new street connecting 400 East to Mapleton Main Street. Everyone in attendance seemed fully in favor of creating that new street, but I question how many realized how much time, determination determi-nation and mentally exhausting effort has been expended by the council and the mayor in particular particu-lar to get federal approval and funding for that street. , Anyone who supposes that our , elected officials have dealt with the construction project hastily or carelessly would be well-advised to become better informed. While I feel a serious error was made in not providing our local newspaper with a simple sketch of the planned intersection many months ago (something that would have allowed the collective thinking of the community to provide useful input), I am encouraged en-couraged by the apparent willingness willing-ness of our city officials to make a last-ditch effort to be sure that we really do have no alternative but to go ahead with the presently planned intersection or to lose the 2.14 million dollars in federal with wayward children and frustrated frus-trated parents which may go a long way toward preventing the break-up of families. It is a striking strik-ing concept developed by Youth Reclamation Licoiporated (YRI) of Provo. In short, it combines the use of electronically monitored moni-tored home detention with specific specif-ic therapies targeted toward families. In homes where assessments assess-ments indicate a need for this dorm of intervention, an ungovernable ungov-ernable teen is fitted with an electronic "bracelet". Through YRI's own formula of therapeutic interventions, the family is then brought to work through their problems together. Did the City of Springville act responsibly in getting the facts to those affected by this construction? construc-tion? NO! Many people in the area first found out about the nature of the new intersection in the last two weeks. This new road has been part of the master plan for 20 years. How is it that nobody knew any details about it until a few weeks ago when the heavy equipment showed up? Was there ever a public meeting held to get the input from the neighborhoods affected? NO! No public meeting was ever held, and no public notice advertised when the plans were finalized over two years ago. No facts have ever been made available. Were the citizens of Springville that will have to live with this intersection kept in the dark? YES! Contrary to die impression given, the people that are concerned con-cerned are not uninformed, ignorant igno-rant reactionaries. There has been much research done by many people in a few short weeks so that the concerns that are being voiced would be presented in a logical and intelligent manner. People have been in contact with state and federal agencies, as well as city leaders gathering the facts. Many of the people involved in-volved are engineers, attorneys, teachers, business consultants, and homemakers. These are not Neanderthals, these are responsible responsi-ble people that are concerned about the facts. This road is a needed improvement, it would be President Reagan for the increase in the deficit and the national debt that took place in the 90s and not blame President Clinton for any changes in the deficit and national debt that is taking place in the 90s. If we blame Newt Gingrich and the Republican House of Representatives for any change in spending, (a slowing in the rate of growth), that is coming com-ing out of congress during the 90s. Then is it not fair to blame Jim Wright, Tom Folley and the Democratic House of Representa funding needed to build a much-j much-j needed street. I harbor the hope that even federal officials may prove flexible when offered good reasons for change. If that should prove otherwise, then we must be prepared to offer our recommendations recommen-dations again at a time when Springville City will have greater jurisdiction over the disputed intersection. Again, I offer not only my compliments, but also my admiration admi-ration for the dedication of our city officials. They are human and they make mistakes, but no amount of money or prestige would make me willing to devote as much time and energy as they do in searching for acceptable solutions to the multitude of complex social, legal, financial 'and political problems that are thrown into their hands, often with the expectation that the solutions should be both immediate immedi-ate and faultless. Hang in there mayor and council members! You ARE appreciated-even when we raise our voices in protesting your decisions. Marion K. Smith Springville This is not a stand-alone program. In partnership with the Division of Child and Family Services, the Fourth District Juvenile Court, Youth Reclamation Reclama-tion Inc., and others, the legislature legisla-ture has authorized a one-year pilot study of electronically monitored moni-tored home detention and coupled clinical services. Thursday, November No-vember 7, marked the commencement com-mencement of this pilot study. A small initial pilot involving five families has already yielded dramatic results. Parents and their children are avowing to the success of these techniques. J. Brent Haymond Springville foolish to organize a simple minded uprising to jeopardize it. Many of these concerned citizens were in attendance at the city council meeting on November Novem-ber 6. There were over 100 people there attempting to communicate com-municate with the city. It was assumed that by meeting with the city and by voicing concerns that an alternative could be devised without delaying the project or getting people upset. Only time will tell if going to the source of the facts will do any good. It is regrettable that opportunity was not offered, even as a common courtesy for local input when this project was finalized over two years ago. Interestingly enough, nobody in the current administration administra-tion lives in the neighborhoods that will be cut off by the closure , of 800 East. You got one fact straight. People don't care unless it affects them. This isn't about a road that everyone agrees is needed, it is; about people having a voice in matters that will affect their neighborhoods and their , lives. The apparent arrogance of the powers that be, and the contempt with which the concerns of these citizens have been treated make you wonder if the only fact is that the city does what the city wants. Citizens input is neither wanted or required. Now there is a FACT that can get people really UPSET! Sincerely, Matt Day tives, for the change in spending (increases), that came out of congress during the 80s. Give me a break! If we cannot accept the fact that we are at fault, and feel that we must blame someone, let's be sure we blame the right individual. To consider oneself different from ordinary men is wrong, but it is right to hope that one will not remain like ordinary men. --Yoshida Shoin 1 Mil |