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Show The Park Record B Section A Thursday, August 3, 1995 B Page A1 3 A personal attack defended fiditor: It was very upsetting to sec Barbara Maw personally attacked in the editorial submitted by Dolores Perkins. The issue is not "parental responsibility" but one of equal distribution of funds for busing students within the Park City School District. At the present time there is just not enough money to bus all the "ineligible" elementary students to school. The rapid development of the city and county and the number of children now living in Park City lias increased the need for more money to transport them to school. Barbara Maw and 136 other residents of Park Meadows have been working with this issue in a solution-oriented context. At a recent working meeting with the Park City School District Transportation Standing Committee, parents from all neighborhoods gave solutions. Our main concern was that children regardless of where they lived could walk to school safely. Since all the routes going to all schools in all neighborhoods are deemed hazardous, walking is not a solution. On this note let me reference the Utah State Law: Any elementary child living within 1.5 miles of a school will not be bused unless the route on which they walk to school is hazardous. Our second concern is that the funds which are appropriated for busing "ineligible students" be distributed equally throughout the Park City School District and that a compromised solution be worked oul. The school board will present heir solution Aug. 8 at a public meeting. I would like to thank Barbara Maw lor all of her time, effort and input on this issue of "funding." Jan Hurley Problems with busing Editor: There is some confusion regarding my position on the busing issue. This issue is not about parental responsibility. It is about the responsible distribution of funds within the Park City School District. Specifically, a state statute provides that elementary school children living within 1.5 miles of the school are deemed "ineligible." The state is not obligated to bus these "ineligible" students. In past years these students were bused. The building of the Jeremy Elementary School increased the number of "ineligible students." This in turn affects the distribution of funds previously received by other areas in Park City. To determine the allocation of these funds, a transportation committee was formed. To facilitate that evaluation a hazardous rating survey was adopted from Jordan School District. The purpose of that rating was to prioritize the more hazardous rating survey was adopted from Jordan School District. The purpose of that rating was to prioritize the more hazardous routes for funding. The areas receiving the highest rating would be given priority. It is my opinion that the hazard rating scale is fraught with problems. Given the limited space those problems will not be addressed. I take exception to the concept that a hazard can be prioritized when it concerns the welfare of young children. It would be inappropriate to use this hazard rating scale to, in essence, "arbitrarily" give one area all the funds to the exclusion of other hazardous areas. We should all remember that the purpose of the "yellow school bus" is, and always has been, to get our children to and from school safely so they can be properly educated. To that end, all we are requesting is that the available funds be evenly distributed amongst all the areas and solutions be addressed to resolve the problem. As a final note. I don't want to minimize the complexity of this problem. The space designated does not allow for a full and complete discussion of all the issues concerning the busing of "ineligible children." Sincerely, Barbara L. Maw Elementary busing Editor: This letter is in response to Dolores Perkins' letter and an attempt to clarify busing issues. Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to know Ms. Maw and I am greatly disturbed by the personal attacks against her regarding parental responsibility and her being misrepresented in an attempt to deflect real issues about busing. Ms. Maw's willingness to represent our neighborhood while working full time and having a family clearly shows in the most positive sense that she is indeed responsible. The factual issues are simple. As a parent of two young children and living in Park Meadows the fact that busing existed was a consideration in our moving to this neighborhood. In the Tribune Ms. Amy Williams of Jeremy Ranch expresses that in a perfect world every child would be bused. This is not the issue that Ms. Maw is addressing as Park Meadows busing already exists. Ms. Williams states that even rich school districts have a limit to how much they can spend. We are only requesting that existing funds be distributed equally between both areas. While we understand that future growth including Jeremy Ranch is a fact of life, why should all the existing funds that were previously allocated go exclusively to the new kid on the block? Certainly Jeremy Ranch has needs that must be addressed, but not to the neglect of our existing program in Park Meadows. In the real world the situation of two working parents is occurring in greater numbers than ever. The safety of our children is not only a parental responsibility, but in any vibrant community to a lessor extent the responsibility of its citizens. In our community I would like to see us working together to resolve issues as they arise, anything else seems an unnecessary distraction serving no point. I urge all parents in the Park Meadows area to attend the school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at. Jeremy Ranch Elementary School to preserve existing rights and the safe public transportation of our children. Calling card problems Editor: I just want to thank you for your timely guest editorial from the FCC and to warn your readers to NEVER use your calling card with a TelTrust phone. My daughter called from a local pay phone somewhere in Park City and because she had no change, used our calling card number. For one minute, we were charged $4.44! When I got the bill, I called the 800 number listed at the bottom of the Zero Plus Dialing page of my phone bill to complain. And it was only then I learned the name of the company stealing from that particular pay phone was TelTrust (for it was not listed on my phone bill) and that no, it was not a typo on my bill. The rep did agree to "adjust" my bill by $2.20, but that still made the local call cost over $2 for one minute. I told the rep I still thought it was highway robbery, but wasn't sure what to do next until your editorial. I did try to contact the local regulatory agency as suggested in the editorial, but when they heard the name of the company, TelTrust, they told me I had to write the FCC, which I did, registering my complaint and sending a copy of the bill. I'm not sure what they can or will do yanking their business license would be a start but at the very least I though while thanking you for that editorial I could also warn your readers about TelTrust at the same time. Avoid TelTrust phones completely if at all possible, but at the very least never use your calling card with one, unless you think $4.44 for a one-minute call between phones a max of one or two miles apart is fair. Thanks again for your editorial. Sincerely, Lynn P. Little Proposed mega-building Editor: In the July 27 issue of the Park Record page Dll Legal Notices, there appears a notice for a preliminary site plan hearing in Coalville Aug. 7, Monday at 2 p.m. in County Commission Chambers. This innocuous notice does not mention the fact that the proposal being submitted by the Jack Johnson Company is for a building 15,000 square feet, and 60 feet in height. The building is proposed to be built on Highway 224 and Sun Peak Drive. Sun Peak Drive is known only to the developer, it is an unmarked street (dirt road) directly south of the University of Utah Medical Building currently under construction. This proposal for a 60-foot-high building violates the present height codes established by Summit County and the present revisions of Summit County building codes which have been established at considerable time and expense to the Summit County taxpayers. The developer is proposing to go under the old 1991 and earlier county codes and is using this as justification and variation of the present codes. If this proposal is approved, all of us driving on the Olympic Parkway Highway 224 in and out of Park City will see a monstrosity incompatible with the surrounding area along with a green metal roof! An alternate plan that conforms with present county codes would be possible with a redesign and proper site planning, i.e. underground parking and lessening the height. Public voice in opposition to this proposed height of building may have some effect on the commissioners' decision. Hopefully it is not a done deal. Carolyn C. Bloom UPS celebrates a birthday Editor: Although every resident would recognize the Fourth of July as the birthday of our country, they may not all readily note Aug. 4 as the birthday of UPS operations in Utah. On that day in 1975, Utah became pivotal in our country's distribution network when UPS was able to link its ground service between all 48 contiguous slates. Today, nearly 75,000 packages and documents are delivered daily in Utah. In those 20 years, the UPS workforce in Utah has grown to more than 2,400 employees. What's more, this linkage is now a gateway for international business. UPS aircraft depart Salt Lake City daily to feed into a global network to more than 200 countries and territories. And UPS Utah District Manager Wolfgang Flick is the first UPS international manager to be pamed a U.S. head of operations. Other Utah district managers have moved on to become head of UPS worldwide operations and president of UPS Canada Ltd. Technology also has been a key to UPS' growth in Utah. Local operations piloted new voice encoded scanners, sorting equipment and advanced technology systems that are now being installed in other UPS operations. The UPS Salt Lake City Customer Service Telephone Center opened in 1993 as the first consolidated phone center with service to the West Coast. Many of the computer systems and training there have become the standard for customer service worldwide. This summer's announcement of Salt Lake City's successful bid for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games draws another link in the UPS chain. UPS is a worldwide sponsor of organizers and will have their eyes on distribution systems in Atlanta. Sincerely, Susan Rosenberg UPS Public Relations Manager Cisco needs a home Editor: The first time we met Cisco, this week's "pet of the week," he was skin and bone. He was a stray who wasn't managing too well to look after himself but instinctively put out a macho image, handsomely strutting his stuff despite the ribs showing through and the pain of being abandoned. We enticed him to safety, sheltered him in the pound, but no one took him home. He didn't look too good. Still too thin and wild-eyed. Then Mary and Edo came along and offered to foster him. They gave him love. He'd never had enough of lhat before. They gave him freedom from chain link kenneling. He was claustrophobic. Who knew? His ribs filled in, his coat thickened and glossed. He learned to play. He doesn't look like the same dog, but inside he's still lost, still lonely, still yearning for someone to say the special words, "I'll be your friend." He's been waiting three months now. He's worked hard on his obedience. He's learning to be a good canine citizen. He needs discipline from a firm but gentle hand, someone who can relate to his masculinity, someone he can respect, and who respects him back. Are you lhat person? Could you give Cisco a new beginning? Are you that friend he's been looking for? Call Julie at 649-5441. 649-5441. Julie Morgan Summit County Friends of Animals 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 840601 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. 7 Writers are limited to one letter every 28 days. Letters must not be longer than 350 words 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 Join the Park City Rotary Club in celebrating Park City's mining heritage on Monday September 4. Anyone can place an entry in the parade. Be creative, be fun and have a sense of humor. Get your friends and neighbors to join in and express yourselves on Miner's Day. Registration must be received by August 28. For registration forms and information, call 649-9162. Make family traditions more healthful Summer, with its picnics and family reunions, is a good time to examine family traditions and sec if they fit into today's healthy lifestyles. Update your summer traditions if you want your family to meet American Heart Association recommendations for a more healthful, low-fat diet and a physically-active lifestyle. Family picnics are a time for being together, playing with children, staging softball games and even eating ice cream as long as it is a lower-fat version. The key is to not think of these events as a license to eat everything in sight. To help everyone have a great time, plan a variety of dishes, including traditional versions with a low-fat twist. Use low-fat mayonnaise and salad dressings, fresh fruits and vegetables and grilled or barbecued chicken instead of fried. Support family and friends who are watching their weight by avoiding suggestions such as "You can get off your diet just for one day," or "It won't hurt if you have one more..." When possible, help everyone by serving smaller portions and remind them to save room for that all-American favorite, ice-cold watermelon. Here are some other suggestions: Offer a nutritionally balanced and attractive array of foods. Include fresh fruits and raw vegetable trays. Make sure that folks watching their weight have low-fat choices. Allow guests to serve themselves with as much or as little as they wish. Don't push people to stuff themselves. Serve low-fat margarine and dressings. Use low-fat cookies and cakes. Another possibility is a no-fat angel food cake topped with fresh fruit. Replace regular hot dogs with the lower-fat versions. Go for lean ground beef by itself or add ground turkey. Mix the meat patties with chopped onions and grated carrots before grilling. Plan time for physical activity before and after your picnic. Encourage guests to hike before eating. Try two-stepping or square dancing afterwards. Take advantage of parks, playgrounds and other recreational facilities. Make sure guests know what equipment of clothing they may need if softball diamonds or swimming areas arc available. Summer may be the time when the living is easy, but it can also be a time when you continue to live healthier. For more information, call the American Heart Association at 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) Free guide to medications offered There are more than 100 diseases that cause arthritis and related disorders of the joints, muscles and bones in both children and adults of all ages. While there is no known cure for arthritis, there are medications that have been developed to make it easier for individuals to manage their arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation offers a free brochure, Guide to Medications: How to Use Them Wisely, which provides an overview of the medications used to treat arthritis. According to the brochure, on average, one-half to three-fourths of the people who take medications take them at the wrong time of day or in the wrong amount, skip doses, or stop the drug too soon. Questions are provided in the broefcure that you may ask your doctor or pharmacist to help avoid serious side effects. Arthritis medications can be classified on the basis of three main actions: reduction of inflammation, slowing down the disease process, and reduction of uric acid levels. Each action is described in further detail in the brochure, along with other valuable "do's and dont's" that can be helpful as you manaige your arthritis with medication. If you would like a copy of this free brochure for yourself or a friend call the Arthritis Foundation, Utah Chapter at 486-4993 486-4993 or toll free at 1-800-444-4993, or write to 1733 S. 1100 E., Salt Lake City, Utah 84105. The Arthritis Foundation is the source of help and hope for an estimated 240,000 Utahns who have arthritis. The foundation supports research to find ways to cure and prevent arthritis, and seeks to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis. t sunn m |
