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Show Page 2 Wednesday, March 17, 1976 Newspape Talk AIRING A GRIEVANCE It was one of those days. They occur frequently enough in this mountain community to be taken for granted but their beauty can never be negated by repetition. The almost pulsating azure sky was caught in a container of evergreen sides with a snow white bottom. The striking contrasts and crystal clarity of the scene demanded comment as the King Con chairlift moved upward with its human cargo. After'This sure isn't Milwaukee' and a sarcastic sar-castic 'Wonder when we'll get some decent weather, ' which captured the heart if not the soul of the scene, , heads 'turned to view the picturesque pic-turesque landscape below. It was a picture alright - a sepiatone picture which utilizes a brown tint to create an 'old time' effect. Snyderville lay there beneath a toad-colored haze, languishing in the bad breath of Salt Lake city....',;; .;.. v , .. It was at once bewildering and infuriating. The Kpnnvnf r Front hoc tntiphpri Park Citv. How often have you descended into the odorous and unsightly atmosphere of Salt Lake City during a temperature inversion and said, 'Gee, am I glad I don't have to breath this stuff (or something close to that) for any length of time'? '.' " . Well, Park City is no longer monastically isolated from the pollutants that Salt Lake spews so abundantly into the air: Driven by a need for more space, the brown cloud has conquered Parley's Summit and has crept into Happy Valley. It's not an everyday occur an ce (yet) but it's now an ever-reesent threat. Not only is pollution an affront and a hazard to Park City's residents but a great part of the ski vacation mystique is the clean mountain air that is so invigorating to city dwelling vacationers. Jf the present atmospheric trend continues, it will require the ' ultimate in public relations propaganda to convince visitors that brown is beautiful. Dirty air is readily available throughout the country so why travel to Utah for it?.- : : ' ' , , That Salt Lake, like most large cities, has a pollution problem is certainly no secret. Residents there have placed economic benefits above health considerations on their priority list. If they want to breath poison, that's their perogative but filthy air is not going to produce any rewards in Park City. Salt Lakes' industry could seriously damage ours. The saddest asDect of the situation lies in its apparent irreversibility. Although other cities have made significant istrides in stemming the' tide of pollution, Salt JLakis not abgiit to cracj down of the perpetrators! And even if the possibility of remedial action existed, Park City's small voice would not be one of those heard above the din of the refineries and processing' plants. 3 ; Just as Park City has neither the right nor the power toalter the big city's unsavory habits, Salt Lake should not be allowed to contaminate our small town gift of clean air. Unfortunately, we ' have no solution to offer. We can only hope that one day soon Salt Lake City will open its irritated eyes wide enough to see that it is feasting upon itself while violating the rights of its neighbors. Publisher ... I Editor. ......... . I Business Manager Reporter, I Photographer .. Published weekly at Park City, Utah. Sub- scriptions $6 per year, $10 out of state. Send or-I or-I ders for subscriptions or change of address to THE NEWSPAPER P.O. Box 738, Park City. Utah 84060. Pictures, news and advertising may be submitted sub-mitted prior to Wednesday publication at our office, of-fice, 419 Main St.,' Park City, by mail, P.O. Box 738, Park City, or by calling 649-9592 or 359-2612. 359-2612. Publication matter must be received by Monday afternoon for Wednesday publication. School Advisory Board Will Meet March 17 The Park City School Advisory Committee will oe iiaving their monthly meeting Wednesday, March 17 it 7:15 in the high school library. This is an open meeting and the public is welcome. The agenda will include the following: Carl Jensen, a specialist of Community Education ior the Utah State Board of Education, will explain the purpose of the Committee, clarify the job of a process facilitator and give a progress report of the State Evaluation Team. Anne Prince will report on the interviews for a process Facilitator. Dr. Goodworth will present the cover letter for the .'ommunity Survey. , ' . The actual name of the committee will be clarified. ; A task force will be appointed to screen high school ipplicants for the $2,000 scholarship offered by the I'ark City Ski Corporation. . ! Communication with the public and other ionizations will be discussed. Time will be alloted for public concerns. J. Howard Stahle Steve Dering , . . Bonnie Stahle Greg Schirf Alamo Dav Miehatl McGrath Jean Piatt LETTERS TO Mr. Peter Ekstrom: Reference is made to your letter to the Editor of the Park City Newspaper, 3-3-76 edition, in which you were critical of the accommodations ac-commodations at .the Townhouse, one of my rental apartments, which you occupied oc-cupied Jqt the veek starting 2-JR6. If y8u are expecting an apologetic, the-custorfler is" always-right letter, this isn't it.'' , Your letter begins, "Last summer when, we were planning our winter vacation, we sent for the Utah Fact Book. After checking prices and accommodations, we selected Townhouse ..." Actually your party occupied the Townhouse the previous winter and you were so pleased with the accommodations ac-commodations that your party requested the very same unit again this winter. Quoting from your Travel Agent's memo of 9-9-75 to us: Last winter we sent a party of seven adults (Dieken party in on 2-8-75) on your one week ski package. They stayed at your Townhouse and were very pleased with it. Consequently, Con-sequently, they want us to book the same package for arrival on 2-8-76. They request same - accommodations ac-commodations as last winter, i.e., your Chalet Townhouse, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths if possible. P.S. Please note name of party is now Ekstrom. (signed) Nicole Takacs DuPage Travel Bureau GlenEllyn 111. Your letter, Mr. Ekstrom, to The Newspaper, then lists 12 complaints you had about the accommodations. I held a meeting of my staff to determine the validity of these complaints and to take remedial action if warranted. This meeting reveals that one complaint concerning one or two ceiling leaks had been registered with my staff. (I didn't ascertain the reply you received, but you should have been informed that roof leaks can't be located, or repaired, with snow and ice on the roof, and that such repairs must necessarily be postponed till spring or summer.) I personally inspected the Townhouse following your letter and I did find evidence of a ceiling leak which fortunately for-tunately had long since ceased to function as a bonafide ceiling leak. I suppose it's only natural for visitors to this part of the country not to be aware of the problems caused by heavy snow, but even new construction con-struction (Park Avenue Condos, Woodside Chalet) experience roof leaks. But we How About It ? WHAT DO YOU NOT PARK CITY? 4 Alamo Dave I don't Salt Lake journalism. ' Gary A vise I don't like the new post office boxes. Why couldn't we continue to use the old ones? I also don't like the fact there is no ice skating rink or free access to the available sports facilities in a town that is so athletic conscious. The month of Mav. Michael McGrath I'm sick of all the condos and apartments that have gone up around my house. The construction made for a lot of noise and created a lot of pot holes on Woodside Ave. Bill Hart I don't like not being able to get something to eat after the bars close. Sometimes if I'm lucky I can get a little potato salad at Margret and Zizi's but last night for example, I had to go to bed hungry. ' ; i Jean Piatt Politically, the city seems to be having a hard time getting it together as far, as finding out how the town should cope with planned expansion. I don't think they are planning ahead as much as they could. Amanada Peterson Shopping is a project because I have to go to Salt Lake for many of the things that aren't available in Park City, although I'd still rather be close to recreational facilities than to a larger variety of services. The fire protection problem makes me a little nervous. plead guilty to a roof leak or two of a minor nature and these will be remedied this summer. Your other complaints, Mr. Ekstrom, are they really valid? Such as "many burned out light bulbs." Also, "insufficient "in-sufficient towels." This can be . easily and promptly remedied. 4 1 Sarrrpie complaint: "Shortage of cooking utensils." uten-sils." This unit contains a brand new 7-pice set of heavy duty cookware. There is a drawer full , of culinery utensils of all types. Also, silver service for ten, dishes for ten, wine glasses, etc. etc. Could you be more specific, Mr., Ekstrom, about the alleged "shortage of cooking utensils"? (No, we do not furnish a spaghetti strainer). 'Another complaint: "Unable tot park car in garage because of piled snow." We do not advertise garage parking. However, ample off-street parking is provided for at least thret vehicles and this area is always clear of snow and usable. Your letter continues, "It would seem to me that some standard should be established to protect out of town skiers to your area. It's obvious the accommodations were sub par for what we paid." Mr. Ekstrom, your party stayed in the very same unit the previous winter, and your party requested the same travel agent (DuPage Travel Bureau) to secure the very same unit for your visit this winter. Isn't that correct, Mr. Ekstrom? Are you telling us you deliberately selected these "sub par" accommodations? ac-commodations? For the record, let me state that the unit is a large, 3-bedroom, 3-bedroom, 2-bath unit with living room, kitchen and dining room. It has a fireplace, large sauna and color TV. The unit you describe as sub par was decorated and newly-furnished newly-furnished by Southeast Furniture one year previous. The house is the large brick home at 1140 Park Ave. It is a reiauveiy new structure, and one of the better-built houses in Park City. Your letter, Mr. Ekstrom, continues: "If it is the intent of the Park City resort owners and tourist administration to provide low quality high price accommodations ac-commodations you will never see us or our many mid-west friends in your area again." Regarding the "low quality" comment, I refer you to the paragraph immediately above giving a description of the' property. The question I LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN like waking up to the lousy THE EDITOR want i answered, Mr. Ekstrom, is why would you specifically select what you describe; as "low quality accommodations' this winter when you had occupied the very same unit the previous winter? If it were truly low nnalitv would it not hp spn sibie to gammsM-MMA winter? Re"gWaTng your "high price"; comment, similar unite tent for $30 a day higher in Park City than the rate I charge. But, irregardless of all your comments, you knew the unit first hand from the previous winter, and you knew the rate beforehand, and "after checking prices and accommodations" ac-commodations" (your words) you choose the same unit again. It is very difficult for me to believe that you would actually choose "low quality, high price accommodations" ac-commodations" two years in a row! . There isn't a lodge operator here that hasn't had a difficult dif-ficult guest, and who. would like to tell that so-and-so a thing or two and I'm no exception. ex-ception. But I've always turned the other cheek until I read your letter, Mr. Ekstrom. , I wish you had had the courtesy to direct your letter to me (as well as to the New spaper if you so desired). Had you done so I know I would have made a more courteous reply. Jim Carr 170 Main St." v l Park City, Utah Officer Leatham Reacts to Record Article March 13, 1976 Dear Citizens: The article which appeared in last week's "Park Record" 'entitled "Council Selects Chief" was a piece of political propaganda. The article stated that present members of the Park City Police Force "neglected" to apply for the position of chief of police because they "felt" a Park City man would not be considered. con-sidered. I think the Park City people should know the truth about the matter. ' Three days after the termination ter-mination of the former chief Larry Henley, the remaining six members of the police fl Gary Avis Hungry Hart Amanda Peterson department requested a meeting with Mayor Uriarte and City Manager Wayne Matthews to determine the future of the department and the plans for the selections of a new chief. The meeting was held the following Monday. In opening, city manager and my recommendation to Mayor Uriarte that the position1 of Chief of Police be filled by a man outside the department. It is my opinion that the police department and the city would benefit by the appointment of an older more mature person." Mayor Uriarte agreed with Mr. Matthews. Coupled with this were the articles and editorials of both city newspapers and statements of the councilmen. I don't see where any members of the department were the least bit encouraged to apply for the position. . The Department feels that it was extremely unfair to state that we "neglected" to apply for the position because we "felt" a Park City man would not be considered when in fact we were "told" that none of us would be considered con-sidered because we were not mature nor experienced enough to benefit the department or the city. It might be of interest to the citizens to know that myself and other members of the force would have applied for the position but the Mayor and City Manager made the point very clear to all of us that a man outside the department would be selected. I feel it is a discredit to our characters to say we "neglected" to apply when in fact we were all but told not to bother. This letter was not intended to discredit the new chief by any means., The department wishes Chief Lund luck and we give him our support in his almost impossible mission, but we felt the people of Park City should know the truth about why we "englected" to apply for the position of chief. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank evefyone that gave me support during my brief term as chief of police, especially 5gt, Mike Crowley, officers Rob Berry, Alex Huggard, John Bircumshaw, Joe Offret, Animal Control Officer Jim Wiggins, , and Trooper Frank Marcellin. Regretfully, Sgt. Dennis Leatham Park City Police Department P.S. To the best of my knowledge no one submitted by name for consideration of the position of chief. . ' ll . - ART FESTIVAL LOGO . ..Visual proposals for the Art Festival logo will be accepted until March 24 at the Chamber of Commerce office. Photographers, artists and graphic designers are encouraged to submit their work. For additional information, call 649-8899. ART FESTIVAL COMMITTEES ' . .Anyone interested in serving on the Eligibility, Food and Beverage or Activities and Entertainment committees for the Art Festival should contract the Chamber of Commerce at 649-8899. MARSAC MEETING The Marsac School Community Council will meet Tuesday, March 23 at 12 noon in the Marsac School Library. Any interested person is invited to attend. CHANGE The March 18 Park City Council meeting will be held in the Memorial Building instead.of City Hall. . The Park City Resort is sponsoring a town race for Tuesday, March 23. Sign up at the information kiosk before noon, Monday, March 22. The race will be a dual slalom elimination with A ' B, and C classes. Two guys and one girl to a team. To be eligible you must be a Summit County resident and work in Park City. - A Pro class will also be offered with individual dual race elimination. Entry fee is $8 per team and $5 for the pro-class. Awards party with free beer will follow the races. The Heart Fund Fashion Show will be held Friday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Park High auditorium. . .Mrs. Marvui Schmid, the former Jesse Hansen, will M.C. the program. Entertainment will be provided by our own singing group, "The Young World Chorus." ..Be sure to make it! COMMUNITY EDUCATION ..If you are interested in a typing, shorthand or , t HEART FUND -The Heart Fund Drive was very successful, however, some of you were not at home when called upon. If for some reason you were missed please call the Captain's listed below. A financial report and a list of volunteers will be published next week. The district captains are Bee Kummer, Leona ' Martinez, Violet Terry, Ella Sorensen, Kathy Hansen, Shirley Street, Edna Fischer, Lorence Aubrey, Donna Deardan, Audrey Stevens, Linda Simmons, Mary Lou Toly, Ann Haralson; Roslyn Grose, and Emily Wilde. Ladies Luncheon Just a reminder to keep May 1 open so you can attend the annual Park City's Ladies Luncheon at the C'estBon. AA Meets ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETS MONDAY MON-DAY EVE. AT 8 P.M. ATTHE MEMORIAL BLDG. FOR INFORMATION CALL 649-9848 Ski Team Expresses Thanks Park City Citizens: i U.S. Alpine Director Hank Tauber and Nordic Director John Bower have asked that we convey the appreciation of the members of the U.S. Ski Team who competed in the 1976 Olympic Games at Innsbruck to the citizens of Park City. "It was indeed an inspiration in-spiration to the athletes to know that the people of Park City would care so much for our success," said John Bower. Alpine Team Director, Hank Tauber, commented that "I was asked by the Team members a number of times how could the people of Park City be so thoughtful when we are so seldom there?" With a number of Americans cheering them on from the sidelines, it was most assuredly a great inspiration to have the knowledge of such strong support from their Homeland. The Innsbruck Telegram ' came , as a delightful surprise amidst many exclamations of "where did they all come from ! " The answer to that of course, is that your support has been here all along. , We are extremely grateful that this interest and enthusiasm en-thusiasm emerged as a community drive here in the ' Ski Team's home base. The Park City telegram should serve as an example to the" rest of America in demon-, strating that broad based ' support of our team is not only possible but essential to their -success. Bill - Koch's . silver medal, Cindy Nelson's bronze and Greg Jones' FIS bronze belong in great part to the people who stood behind them in spirit at the starting gate in Innsbruck. The U.S.. Ski Team and : staff thank you and hope that j you will continue to share" with us the excitement of the many competitions left in the 1976 season. , Members of the U.S. Alpine Team . : Members of the U.S. Nordic Team U.S. Ski Team Staff |