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Show Thursday, July 6, 1 995 B Page A1 5 The Park Record D Section A In favor of balloon fest Editor: Regarding Ms. Amanda Peterson's intent to file an appeal for the Balloon Fest, it would appear that she is a "new-comer" to the Park Area. Probably from California where there is no noise from hot air balloons. I have lived here for more than 20 years and prior to that in Colorado Springs. I lived in Park West Village for more than 15 years. Now I live further out and enjoy the sight of balloons floating over the Snyderville valley with Bald Mountain as a backdrop. I'm sure that most of the interstate travelers share my thoughts of tranquility when they see them floating above. I used to sit on my deck in the Village and sometimes be surprised by the "whoosh" of burners, as were my malamutcs. They would occasionally kick up a fuss but they were only talking to the guests, as I would. I found them to be very fun and cordial. My point is this. Where was Ms. Peterson when over 1,000 "Boy Scouts invaded that land with tents and toilets, for their jamborees? If she was here, then it is apparently alright for kids to .have fun but not for a wholesome family affair. (That land was donated to the Trust for the enjoyment of people and wildlife. It is not sacred ground or airspace.) Also, it is apparently alright for her to damage and move onto what was once my view of pastureland and wetlands; that used to exist in Park Meadows. What really gripes me is these outsiders moving into this area for the ambiance and then wanting to change it for their own selfish reasons, thereby taxing us all. I for one am not pleased about the prospect of change and influx of more people coming into this valley due to the Olympics, but can't condemn people for wanting to live here. What I do object to is new arrivals coming here and wanting to change what has become a pleasurable part of this valley. As is common with the "suc-'90s," everyone seems to find something to complain about, be it new houses or dogs barking. Next, she'll probably complain about the eagles nesting in the trees and their droppings on vacant land, that she may step into. Maybe she ought to go to Salt Lake for some peace and quiet, on a once-a-ycar occasion. Also, I have never ridden in a hot air balloon. So I have no bias towards that economic endeavor. What will happen when the IOC wants an airport here? That I would object to! Barbara A. Fry Volunteers in City Park Editor: We would like to sincerely thank the Paine family for the time they volunteered during their family reunion, weeding and cleaning up the demonstration gardens at City Park. It's people like you who help to beautify and make Park City a special place. We appreciate your efforts and thank you for a job well done. Park City Parks Department First nighters parties To Stein Erikscn Lodge, Many thanks for a wonderful "First Nighter Party." We would especially like to thank Pat Burrus and his staff for going well beyond the call of duty! These kind people not only prepared an outstanding display of incredible edibles but also decorated the rooms as well as picking up balloons. You made our job so much easier and made the evening an incredible success. Thank you again, Hayden Hull First Nighter Committee for Park City Performances Deer Xings do work Editor: Much has been written about the deer crossings around Jordanclle State Park. Almost everything written has been negative, especially from your newspaper. Recently I had the opportunity to see one of the The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject We ask that the letters adhere to the following guidelines: They should be submitted to the Park Record offices at 1670 Bonanza Drive or received in the mail (P.O. Box 3688, Park City, UT 84060) no later than 5 p.m. on Monday before publication. They must be signed and include address and telephone number of author. No letter will published under an assumed name. They must not contain libelous material. Writers are limited to one letter every 28 days. Letters must not be longer than 350 wprds and should, if possible, be typed. We reserve the right to edit letters if they are too long or if they contain statements we consider unnecessarily offensive or obscene. All letters will be printed, unless the number exceeds our space limitation. crossings at work, and it did work. The problem with the crossings is not deer. The problem is people. It seems deer have figured out how the crossings are supposed to work, but some people, to whom we give drivers licenses, cannot. I watched a small buck almost lose his life because he walked "where he should walk." The driver of a vehicle refused to slow down, stop, or in any way be inconvenienced to allow the deer safe passage. The deer walked slow and calm until it had to scramble to save its own life. I have seen a photograph of a dead deer on the cobblestones next to one of the crosswalks. The photo was shown to me to convince me the crosswalks do not work. It proved to me. 1) the crosswalks do work, and 2) deer are smarter than some people. It is my understanding the crosswalks were designed to concentrate the deer traffic into visible, well-marked well-marked areas, with plenty of warning, preventing unexpected confrontations with vehicles. Apparently some people feel the deer have been concentrated on crosswalks to make it easier to seek and destroy. Maybe these people have not figured out deer are supposed to be on the crosswalks, by design they should be there, as motorists we want them there instead of randomly entering the highway. As intelligent creatures, humans should be able to understand this concept and allow the deer to cross safely. Slowing down, or stopping for a few seconds is less expensive than car repairs from a collision, and less inconvenient that having a car in the shop. The road was built in deer habitat, and unless all deer in the area arc eliminated , they are going to cross the road for food and water. Deer have learned to use the crosswalks, maybe elk can be trained as crossing guards. Let's hope motorists can be a little more considerate of animals doing what we want them to do. Steve Nielsen Springville New coalition seeks to reform existing Endangered Species Act The Grassroots ESA Coalition, a new coalition Df over 250 organizations and four million people representing evciything from environmental groups and property owners to farmers, ranchers, miners, loggers and outdoor recreationists has called for a new direction in protecting endangered species. It warned that the National Biological Service will hurt wildlife unless the Endangered Species Act is reformed. Recently there was a closed-door closed-door meeting in House Speaker Newt Gingrich's office in which over 40 Congressmen including a large number of freshmen expressed profound concerns about funding the National Biological Service. Secretary Babbitt has called the NBS his top priority. Without waiting for Congressional authorization the secretary established this federal agency in late 1993 to monitor animals and plants on all public and private land. According to Rob Gordon, executive director of the National Wilderness Institute and a member of the Grassroots ESA Coalition, "The punitive and regulatory measures of the current Endangered Species Act do more harm than good for wildlife." Gordon states that the ESA penalizes property owners for having endangered species on their land and as a consequence promotes managing land to reduce habitat. "ESA pits people against wildlife and as a result they both lose," he said. "Without change the NBS will create more conflict and even less conservation." Jim Streeter, a former US Fish and Wildlife Service official now with the National Wilderness Institute said, "The problem with the National Biological Service is that Secretary Babbitt established it to be the data collector for the regulatory state." Many landowners fear the occurrence of endangered species on their property and therefore the NBS. Another coalition member, David Langford of the Texas Wildlife Association says, "Making landowners afraid to have wildlife on their property is the worst thing you could do for endangered species. If you want more of something, you should reward people, not punish them." The coalition attributes the fact that the ESA has never led to the full recovery of an endangered species in more than 20 years since its adoption to its punitive approach. Many property owners like ranchers, foresters, miners and farmers have land tnat could provide additional habitat for endangered species but anyone who docs so under the present law risks being driven to bankruptcy according to Coalition member Dennis Hollingsworth of the Riverside Farm Bureau. Hollingsworth says, "What would be best for wildlife and people is something that works the opposite of he current law a non-cgiiary. non-cgiiary. incentive -based approach, until this is the case we should not even be thinking about the NBS." For more information about the coalition, write Grassroots ESA Coalition, P.O. Box 423, Battle Ground, Wash. 98604 or call (206) 687-2505. Reach the County and Beyond. With the Park Record's Real Estate Weekly, your property will be viewed by a wide array of homebuy,ers. From the million mil-lion dollar homeowners in Deer Valley to the rancher in Coalville, your property will be seen by thousands of people in the real estate market. Plus the Real Estate Weekly is inserted into all Park Record newspapers. In addition to our local subscribers, you will reach over 1,000 subscribers who live out of state yet have a great interest in keeping up with Park City... including their second home options! 10,000 copies in circulation each week. XiO-jK |
