Park Record | 1993-03-25 | Page 16

WnOWHDdDfiMt The Park Record O Section A Thursday, March 25, 1 993 Page A16 An unwelcome public display According to published reports during the past two years Miller has hammered away at , recent presidential campaign, Clinton staff the same public process issue. It was what members had a sign made that hung in the got her elected by wide margin, strategy room. It said "It's the economy, Miller was protesting the minutes of the stupid." That same sign is reportedly now in March 8th meeting of the Historic District the White House. It became historic because Commission that said a sign, which already it pretty well summed up the story of the had been granted approval by the HDC, campaign. would be called up by the City Council for The point of the reminder was that all the review. Miller said no such action had been other issues which Clinton's opponent kept taken by the council. And in fact, a council raising and dancing around weren't what the member had talked with the Mayor who American people were concerned about. It talked with a staff member who told the boiled down to the basic issue of the applicant that "the council didn't like the , economy. Fix that and the other stuff would sign and it would be called up." Based on that fall in line. It has often been said politics in a small town is a form of entertainment, and certainly anyone who has sat through a school board, county planning or city council meeting in the past year could agree. But last week's outburst by council members toward one another was entertainment we could do without. And when the shouting stopped and pounding of the table subsided and the Acting Mayor Sally Elliott (Mayor Olch was, regrettably, out of town) took to the airwaves on KPCW on Friday morning with her unprofessional remarks about fellow Council Member Leslie Miller not being "normal" and having " very, very weak interpersonal skills" she only made a bad situation worse. It led us to re-word that Clintonian advice "It's the process, stupid." Because whether or not Leslie Miller presented her concerns in a manner that was wholly palatable to her fellow council members at Thursday's work session, the issue of how the public's business was perhaps circumvented by not following the process is exactly what the public is concerned about right now. And for the Editorial information the applicant simply withdrew her application stating she couldn't afford to have a sample sign made-up and not approved. Miller thought the process had been thwarted. Fellow council members called her concerns, "picky." But the public needs access to the process. Decisions made in City Hallways between staff members and elected officials are not the way to build public trust. Last week's outburst was an embarrassment embar-rassment to all concerned, but not an isolated incident for this council. It was just the most public display of intolerance. We expect more from our elected representatives. We expect them all to compromise their expectations from time to time but we expect them never to compromise our rights. When the public suspects deals are being made, behind closed session doors or among just a few cronies, then they start to mistrust the whole process. In an election year and in a democracy the basic issue is always the same. It's the process... ft IN CHWte'J SI tan i 119 V"W - t ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING Here comes the re-generation Blotting out the names on newspaper police logs by Tabitha Soren (reprinted from USA Weekend, Feb. 26, 1993) I represent an age group that has been accused of being apathetic, smug and lost. The . truth is that our generation, as a whole, is none of those things. We have not been uninterested or unintelligent. Just uninspired. Today's young people are coming into power and starting the "Re-generation." The regeneration of ourselves, of politics and of this country. Preconceived notions about our generation have resulted in a lot of name-calling. We are called the "MTV Generation," the generation lobotomized by television. But just because I watch Axl Rose doesn't mean I don't read Arthur Schlesinger. We also are not members of a "Generation X," a term that sticks us in some sort of nameless wasteland. There are too many young people in all fields coming on strong, making their mark, for that label to apply. Indeed, one of President Bill Clinton's favorite lines resonates deep within us, because we felt it before he said it: We truly are the first U.S. generation that could be worse pff than the preceding generation. That fact has propelled many of us to be a pragmatic, hard-working bunch. We feel as if we have to work twice as hard to do half as well as our parents. We're the first "latch-key generation," and more of us come from divorced families than any previous generation. No other generation has been forced to rely on its own resources more than ours. Yes, we grew up in a media frenzied, fragmented time that makes us a diverse group, not easy to pigeonhole. But our generation is starting to assume power and make changes, in the Establishment as well as the anti-Establishment anti-Establishment In addition, a new generation of young people is the new driving force behind established grassroots organizations. Through my reporting at MTV, I witnessed the activism of the radical People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Even though many people dislike PETA's tactics, few would dispute its impact: Look at the stir Aretha Franklin's politically incorrect sable made at last month's inauguration. Last spring, the nation watched as thousands of young men and women stormed Washington, D.C., for a pro-choice rally. And over the past two summers it was always young people I saw working the booths for Greenpeace on the Lollapalooza concert tours. On MTV, Clinton talked about how he had been inspired to go into politics when he shook Guest Editorial the hand of President Kennedy at the White House. That story reinforced what I've found by talking to people in our age' group over the past year. While our parents grew up during time when people believed wholeheartedly in their elected representatives and trusted government to take care of them, we grew up differently. We learned about initiatives like the New Deal and the Great Society in history class. To us they had the same impact as the War of 1812. Unlike older people, we didn't experience these innovative programs directly. During our lifetime, we had 12 years of hands-off Republican presidents who said government should not meddle in people's lives. At the same time, we begged for a president to get the nation back on track. Our experiences have made many of us grim. My first memory of a president was of Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. My mom never let my dad live down the fact that he had voted for Tricky Dick. Then came Gerald Ford, whom I was familiar with as an avid golfer and bumbling Saturday Night Live character. Jimmy Carter seemed like a weak president who was bullied by a fanatic Islamic leader. Ronald Reagan enjoyed support from many young people, but his distrust of big government and scandals within his administration reinforced our already well-developed cynicism. Traditionally, it has been the youth of this country who have been the revolutionaries. In light of all the global changes taking place, we are coming of age at a crucial time. In this state of flux, young people are getting in their two cents' worth. We already have elected a new president. The face of Washington, D.C., is being transformed by swarms of dedicated young activists rushing to be part of the first administration whose chief remembers not only where he was when he heard that JFK had been killed but also, where he was when he heard the news about John Lennon.- Being the second-largest group of twentysomethings in history, we also have the opportunity :to lead the country out of recession, thanks to our spending power. Now, even corporate America is taking notice of us. But why are people surprised? It's absolutely false that young people have nothing to say. As a generation, we're finding our voice. We're poised and ready to take back some of the power claimed for so long by baby boomers to make changes that are important to us and to handle the responsibility that power brings. Soren, 25, is a reporter and anchor for MTV, and a contributing correspondent for NBC's "Today" show. by Lou Edman (reprinted from The Journal Transcript, a Connecticut newspaper, March 10. 1993) Two years ago, a reader sent me a copy of a weekly newspaper called The Park Record from Park City, Utah. It comes out on Thursdays and has a circulation of 7,400, which ain't bad, considering the total population of Park City is only 5,200. Back two years ago, what caught my eye was the published police blotter, done in a light-hearted manner and with flair. Now, a couple police officer, intoxication and disorderly conduct. No name, no nothing. In these parts, we'd get the name and address, age, exact time of the incident, , charges and court date. .Talk about being laid back; they seem to know how t to do it in Utah. And how about hardened police reporters. Imagine reading the following here: "Vehicle break-ins rank as number two crime of the week with reports coming in irom most every neighborhood and parking garage in town. Do lock your car and don't leave (Guest Editorial of years late,r, the tradition apparently continues. The issue on hand is dated Jan. 28, 1993 and that week's police blotter has the headline: "Don't even think about it; you'll be towed for sure." The lead item went: "If you parked where you shouldn't have last week, you already know what kept Park City's Finest the busiest towing illegally parked cars. We won't even list all of those incidents in this report except to say the number was greater than the amount of gum stuck to the bottom of theater seats this week." How's that for reporting with panache, otherwise called dash, swagger or verve. Chewing gum on the bottom of seats? How descriptive can you get? One item started with, "Just give us the keys..." It went on: "A neighbor in the Old Town area called to report a red Porsche had been parked in the middle of the street for at least a week. Officers arranged to remove the sporty vehicle from Park Avenue. We should point out that these cars are not native to the area and have only recently been introduced. The owner may have been confused and thought he was in Deer Valley or Thaynes Canyon." Strangely, although there are a dozen or more incidents reported, not a single one gave a name. One report stated that a man was booked into the Coalville jail after an arrest that involved domestic violence, assault on a goodies (i.e., ski gear, photo equipment cellular phones etc.) visible inside." And be sure to brush your teeth before going to bed. Here's excitement: "In the early morning hours of Jan. 20 a fight was reported in progress at Pop Jenks but had broken up-upon up-upon arrival of the officers." The report continued: "Later in the wee hours a man reported he had surprised two intruders at China Bridge who ran off in different directions when the man approached his car. He reported nothing was missing." One item listed sure would be a novelty in these parts. Ever hear of a "hot tub" violation? This started with: "How many times could this have been you? Officers were called to the Coalition Lodge where the owners reported a hot tub violation. The tubbers were not guests of the lodge and were asked to gather their towels and be on their way. They covered up and complied." And finally, in its entirety: "A driver reported he was aggressively confronted over a parking space in Swede Alley. No further information whether this involved the single-digit salute or if actual obscenities were uttered." If nothing else, it's reassuring to learn again that Park City doesn't have a serious crime wave, unless you count hot tub violations. Kinda restores your faith in human nature. STAFF OOP PUIUIHIRh Editor . ..Andy Bernhard iMMttm mTtri O.TF Staff Wurcm .Ron Ceorg, Amber McKee, Sena Taylor, Andrea Mather, Alex Weill, Chris Elwnberg Contriujtinc Writers Tom Clyde, Tom Cram Office Manage Smart Davit Clammed Manager. -Swan Qmmen Advertising Director .-....PameU Halntworth Advertising Sales ..-.Torn Laoe, Tracy Callasher, Graphic Artist ...lef)nlfcr Otto Photographer ft Darkroom David Bertinelll Production Kat James DiSTRMimoN layson Frarnpton Cartoonist John Helton The Park Record (USPS 0037-8730) 0037-8730) is published weekly by diversified Suburban Newspapers, 1670 Bonanza Dr., Park City, UT. Second Gass Postage in Park City, UT. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Park Record, Box 3688, Park City, UT 84060. Entered as second class matter, May 25, 1977 ilte.ppst offiui in Park CityUT 84060, undef the Act of March 3, 1897. Subscription rates are $18 inside Summit County, $33 outside Summit County, UT. Phone [phone]. Published every Thursday.