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Show XX TO O a ynewnDnnniL The Park Record 0 Section A Thursday, September 7, 1995 D Page A12 Don't let recreation bond strike out--vote on Sept. 12 Hello out there, residents of the Snyderville Basin. We've got a few questions for you. Have you ever heard of voter apathy? Do you realize that you and your neighbors sport just about the lowest participation when it comes to county-wide county-wide elections? Are you concerned about that? What we're driving at here could have some significant ramifications, because in case you didn't know it, there's an election next week, and you re invited to attend. In fact, only the residents of the Snyderville Basin get to participate. So the question is, will you go to the polls? If you're not sure, consider this next set of questions: Do enjoy participating in local sports? If you have children, would you like them to have opportunities to play team sports such as soccer and baseball? Would you like to see some designated parks and trails near your neighborhoods, instead of having to seek those facilities in Park City? And would you like developers to adhere to a policy that requires the designation of parks and recreation space when they plan to convert acreage into housing? If so, it is crucially important that you vote this Tuesday, Sept. 12, to approve a $7.5 million bond to ensure these open space and recreation facilities are built. Consider these facts: More than S3 percent of Park City's recreation programs are comprised of Editorial residents who live outside the city limits in the Basin. As a result, the city has had to take a tough stance in order to make sure that all of its tax-paying tax-paying residents have the first shot at participating in those programs. The effect on non-residents? Some Basin children have been put on waiting lists or been told there is not enough room to participate at all. It's no wonder that is happening this year alone there were 300 more youths than last year who wanted to enjoy just the soccer program. Western Summit County residents have stated over and again they want open space, trails and recreation opportunities. In fact, those amenities often have been listed as top priorities by citizens responding to questionnaires and speaking at planning charettes. So now it's time to put some bite in those words. Vote for the bond, and tell your fellow Basin residents to vote for the bond. The facts are convincing if you want to enjoy recreation and parks near your homes. Those who object to the bond shouldn't take for granted the undeveloped hills and paths that trail through Snyderville. The few areas that aren't already platted for development soon could be, and that could mean your favorite riding trail. So think about it, and think what an extra $60 per year on a $100,000 property might bring you. Chances are, it will probably buy something you won't be able to buy in the future. 1 , AT nr tp Vte UT Ot-iSatti its Afoot W 1 take iQp& A Too4tS))k .Too)! 0t ao teutft tWt itiooc,u rr -j Basin needs its own facilities Iems to ttllne Editor Guet Editorial A voice from iht community submitted by THE SNYDERVILLE BASIN SPECIAL RECREATION DISTRICT BOARD On Sept. 12, Snyderville Basin residents will be asked to go to the polls to decide if they want to fund recreation in the Snyderville Basin area. We as a board consider this to be a very important day. Your vote will determine the future of this very important issue. Over the past four years, we have Worked hard to survey the recreational needs of the area residents , by reviewing studies such as the Summit County Recreation Facilities Study conducted by Mountainlands Association of Governments and the Recreation Task Force Vision Statement. These studies, together with the current data provided by the Park City Leisure Services Department have been the basis of our current recreation plans. The following statement by the Mountain Lands Association of Governments epitomizes we think, where we are today. "The Snyderville Basin represents a unique set of circumstances. This area is the largest population base in the county and is the newest and fastest growing area as well. At the same time, it is perceived in some ways as a stepchild of Park City. A general lack of its own recreation infrastructure has led to a dependence upon Park City. Families developing close ties by attending the same school district find themselves treated differently when attempting to meet their recreational needs. Park City's facilities, built for a resident population of 5,000, find themselves trying to service a population of close to 10,000. The result is over-utilized facilities and unincorporated residents paying significantly higher fees..." Because the city has no more developable land, the Snyderville area needs to become a participant in the ever growing recreational needs of its residents. The proposed first-phase plan for the basin is to acquire approximately SO acres of land, to develop community parks that will satisfy the recreation needs of the residents and to develop a recreation master plan for the basin, a document and map we hope will be adopted into the Summit County code. If the basin is to get into the recreation business, we must develop a revenue stream. After examining several options with our bond council and the commissioners, we determined together that the general obligation bond and tax levy was the most cost effective method of financing our recreational future. It is our hope that you will review this proposition carefully and make an informed decision on Sept. 12. A voter information pamphlet will be in your mail box by Friday, Sept. 8. If you have further questions, please feel free to call any one of us. We are your neighborhood representatives. Members of the board include Melissa Call, Pace Erickson, Jody Graham, Scott Hill, Michael Nielsen, Sharon Odell and Amanda Peterson. Support the Basin Rec Board by BOB JOHNSTON Providing recreational needs for a population of 12,000 and growing, with facilities designed and built for 5,000 is difficult On Sept. 12, residents of the Snyderville Basin will have the opportunity to change that During the last 15 years, Park City has spent over $20 million developing facilities such as City Park, Park City Golf Course, Racquet Club, neighborhood pocket parks, Miners Hospital and the Park City Library and Education Center. City residents have supported the development of these facilities through higher property taxes, general obligation bonds and recreation fees. Park City's facilities are available to everyone. The fees are higher, but always with the understanding that those fees were never truly equitable. Currently, demand for additional Guet Editorial recreation facilities is at an all-time high. Over use of existing facilities like the Racquet Club and Park City Golf Course are causing concern over program quality. The need for expanded recreation facilities is real. Park City can no longer be expected to provide those facilities without A voict from Iht community assistance. As primary benefactors of Park City's facilities and programs, Snyderville Basin residents need to accept responsibility for the current situation. They need to support funding of facilities that are desperately needed today. Residents of the Basin are fortunate to have such dedicated and motivated individuals working on the Snyderville Basin Recreation District Board. Board members have the energy and will, what they need are the tools. A yes vote on Sept. 12 will give them the tools. , The opinions expressed in our guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the Park Record. , , : : ; : 1 Reconsider the decision Editor: I am writing letter because I feel that the decision not to bus ineligible students unless they pay $180 will threaten the safety of our community's children. A committee was appointed by Dr. Fielder last spring to review busing in the Park City School District. It was comprised of district personnel as well as parents representing each area. They spent a lot of time researching and evaluating all issues regarding busing, held a meeting for public input and then made four recommendations to the board. What a surprise to find out that a recommendation presented only at the Aug. 8 board meeting by the superintendent would be adopted. A lot of people didn't even know that the possibility of no busing existed; and many like me, believed that since a committee had been appointed and all had agreed on four recommendations, that one of them would be adopted. Why was a committee formed and allowed to give their recommendations to the board? District employees alone could have found out the facts and given them to the superintendent so he could make the recommendation; the result was the same. We just had a bond election for the Park City School District and voted for a second time to raise our taxes. Who would have thought that the safety of our children wouldn't be a priority? It is to the parents. Why are we not using money that is budgeted for hazardous routes? Five areas were rated as hazardous based on traffic, pedestrian, road and environmental conditions. I fear for the children that must walk to and from school on these roads. I live in one of these hazardous areas and will not allow my child to walk to or from school; it is too dangerous. Sure some parents will pay the money and some will car pool, but what about the poor child that has no option but to traverse these hazardous roads? Shouldn't the safety of our children take priority over all other considerations? I urge the school board to reconsider the busing issue at the Sept. 12 meeting. Thank you, Sherree Greenhalgh Busing funds are there Editor, " " As last school year drew to a close we knew that many of our school children were being bused as a short-term fix to the problem of unsafe walking areas on their way to and from school. When the committee was formed to look into this situation, many of us couldn't help but think a solution would be reached where all of our children's safety would be the utmost concern. The committee did reach such a decision, and the recommendations given to the school board were delivered with great consideration to all aspects of the problem of dangerous areas. We all want what is the best for our children. That is why we live in Park City and why, when the School District has asked its constituents for any additional funds for bettering our schools, we have been more than willing to pass these issues. Now we are asking for the money that has already been budgeted for busing be used in a way that the committee has deemed the most fair and equitable way all of our children can be bused safely. I would like to request that the board review the committee's recommendations again. As a site based management school district, I feel that the recommendations of the committee should be viewed by the board with the weight of great respect and knowledge. Theresa Brennan ; Safety is the priority Editor: Recognizing claims of "unfairness" from individuals in other neighborhoods within the district, the school board recently approved a policy which eliminates district-supported busing of elementary students who live within a 1.5-mile "hazardous" radius of their schools. The board's decision is regrettable for a number of reasons: 1. The decision did not involve an appropriate amount of public input. Many of us who are now adversely affected by the board's decision thought the input we provided the transportation committee working the issue would be recognized. We were bitterly disappointed when the district superintendent submarined his own committee at the Aug. .8 board meeting. Had we anticipated such an action we most certainly would have ben there. Eighty of us showed up at the subsequent meeting on Aug. 22. 2. Some of the board members and the superintendent continue backing away from their responsibilities in the issue by claiming state law and generally accepted convention assigns transportation responsibility to parents. The truth is, Summit County schools do have unique hazards to children which defy convention. The 80 people at the Aug. 22 board meeting informeff the board that we consider safe access for elementary children the top budget priority. 4. Those of us adversely affected by the board's decision, believe the board and superintendent caved in to sour grapes complaints of "unfairness" from individuals who reside in areas the transportation committee deemed less hazardous. Evaluating risksbenefits to society and applying limited resources to optimize the tradeoff is the job of all public officials.Over a lifetime of funding our public institutions, we all at times get more or less than is "fair." As a parent, I would never put anyone's child at risk, solely to ensure a subordinate priority of my own is "equally-" funded. Please contact the district or any of the school board members and state your support for busing as a prioritized expenditure. ; Judd Werner ' SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION 1 Year inside Summit County, $20, outside Summit County, $40 2 Years inside Summit County, $36, outside Summit County, $75 Mastercard or Visa No. - . Exp. Date: Name Mailing Address, Payment must be received before subscription begins. Thank You Mail to: The Park Record, P.O. 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