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Show 7tt' r y Rj&Mmrs 1 tLDnB ffiaQntkDii0 The Park Record D Section A Thursday, September 21, 1995 D Page A15 Promoting Park City Editor: I am writing in response to the letter last week by David Droraan. I agree that it's time the Park City ChamberBureau went "on-line" and became involved with the Worldwide Web. I felt that he incorrectly informed all readers that "the Park City Chamber of Commerce has nothing to do with the efforts to promote Park City commerce to the Worldwide Web." As president of the Park City ChamberBureau, I am closely aware of the efforts the staff at the Chamber are making to research the best alternatives to facilitate this. I have been working with the staff of the ChamberBureau for 18 years and feel they do an excellent job and make great decisions. They investigate all options very thoroughly before making a hasty decision. I am quite confident that they will make the best decision for all the members! Teri Whitney, president Park City ChamberBureau Domestic violence Editor: I heard about Patricia Blanchard on the 6 o'clock news. Ironically, I was on my way to a meeting for the volunteers of the Peace House in Park City. For those who are unfamiliar with the Peace House, it is a shelter for women of domestic violence. The news was shocking, alarming and sad. It left me angry. I do not know Patricia. I know a lot of women in the same situation as Patricia. I know there are even more women I do not know about. This is an event that affects our community on many different levels. Domestic violence does not discriminate between class, race or community. We cannot look at this event as an isolated incidence In some ways we are all responsible. We are responsible to educate ourselves and our children. We are responsible to educate our neighbors, our institutions and our churches. We are responsible to not judge another's situation, but to find some way to help. As long as we think that domestic violence is something that happens to other people, we close our eyes to what is in our own front yards. Women like Patricia do not deserve to be our wake up call. My heart goes out to Patricia's children and her family. I know I cannot imagine their suffering. This was a senseless and remorseless act; it cannot go unnoticed. Domestic violence carves a deep dark chasm through our society. We probably all know a victim andor a perpetrator. Please, Park City, take notice and act. We have resources right here in our community. Use them for education, intervention and safe shelter. Deanna Affleck Contact the Peace House at 647-9161. Veterans Administration announces medical benefits available to all former POWs ; Former American POWs are eligible for special veterans ;benefits, including medical care in ;VA hospitals and disability compensation for injuries and disease presumed to be cause by internment. These benefits are in addition to regular veterans benefits and Services to which they, as veterans, Sire entitled. I Less than half (44 percent) of Jhe Americans held prison in the last five wars are now living. Some ;1 42,256 Americans were captured and interned during World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the Somalia Conflict This includes 81 women seized on Guam or in the Philippines in World War II, and two in the Persian Gulf War. : Of that total, an estimated (52,676 were living as of Jan. 1, according to Charles A. Stenger of Jhe American Ex-Prisoners of War Association. This includes 50 from World War I, 58,995 from World War II, Discriminatory busing decision Editor: On Tuesday evening, Sept. 12, 1 attended the 6:30 p.m. session of the Park City School Board. I was surprised to see how unprepared the members of the board, as well as the director of the Transportation Department, Golden Sneddon, were for such a major decision. No one knew for sure how many children were using the buses; how many children were enrolled at each school; how much it would cost to provide transportation to all children; the cost of the a new bus; or if we could get a new bus. If a knowledgeable decision is to be made exact cost figures need to be known. A cost figure of $20,000 seemed to be the amount settled on, which seems like a small sum to pay for the life of a child. There were quite a few concerned parents attending the meeting. Let me state that it is not the $130 or the $1 per day that we, the parents of children in hazardous zones would have to pay. If appropriate ways of getting to school had been provided initially, I would have no complaint. But that is not the case. A compromise is in order. Either all children should pay or none. That is only fair. I feel discriminated against because I don't live at the top of the mountain. Sincerely, Sharon K. Wolcott Support for open lands Editor: On Sept. 16, Utah Open Lands Conservation Association, formerly the Summit Land Trust, turned five years old. In celebration of our fifth year of preserving open land, we held a nature hike on our newest conservation easement over 750 - acres, . ' I would like to extend my appreciation to Brackman's Bagels for their donation of five dozen bagels for morning fortification, to Lois Hall and Associated Title for their donation of time, money and effort and to David Gardner for his native plant expertise along the trail. And a special thanks goes out to those who joined us for the hike and the wonderful show of support for the efforts of Utah Open Lands in preserving the last best places. Most sincerely, Wendy E. Fisher, UOL executive director A southwestern fundraiser Editor: On behalf of the National Ability Center and its participants, I would like to thank all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers and participants for helping to make our third annual "Southwestern 3,038 from Korea, 569 from Vietnam, 23 from the Persian Gulf and one from the Somalia. Congress defines a former prisoner of war as a person who, while serving on active military, naval or air service, was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy government or a hostile force, during a period of war or in situations comparable to war. Studies have shown that the physical deprivation and psychological stress endured as a captive have life-long effects on subsequent health and on social and vocational adjustment. These studies also indicate vulnerability to psychological stress is increased. A former POW may be eligible for disability compensation if there are symptoms of any of the following disabilities: vitamin deficiency diseases such as beriberi, ischemic heart disease as a result of wet beriberi and pellagra, chronic dysentery, helminthiasis, malnutrition, miscellaneous nutritional Elegance" such a wonderful success. Due to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, the National Ability Center raised over $35,000 that will go directly to our sports and recreation programs for people with disabilities! Thank you to our co-sponsors, Dan's and Fit-Well Prosthetic and Orthotic Center for making this event possible. Our warmest thanks to all our other sponsors and supporters who also gave so generously (please see our thank you ad for a complete list). A special thanks to Frank and Kathy Richards who once again so charitably donated the use of their beautiful ranch. To the organizing committee our deepest gratitude for all of their hard work, Susan Basmajian, Michael Brodsky, Linda Cohen, Oz Crosby, Susan Glasmann, Colleen Hoffmann, Trish McDonald, Kathy Natapow, Kris Nelson, Bleeker Springs and Lisa Warr. My sincere appreciation to the NAC staff and volunteers who gave of their time and energy we could not have held this event without you! Last but not least, to all of you who came to the event and so generously gave of your time and financial support, thank you! Warm regards, Meeche White NAC executive director Does anyone care? Editor: I realize saying this won't do much more than make me feel better. I'm sure many of you won't believe it's true. There is a phrase I've been hearing entirely too much lately. It's part of the "improvement" and "progress" pitch. I hear it on the radio, in town meetings and worst of all, to my own face pertaining to my own home. I only wish you could understand why I'm tired of hearing it. The phrase is "Your propertyhouse will be worth so much more money." So what? Big damn deal. And stop it! Some of us don't care. I choose to live on the acre I do because of the lifestyle involved, the immediate environment, because it's peaceful and a wonderful place to go home to not because it would be a good investment. I want to live there for a long, long time, and therefore I care what goes on around me. Apparently that is so hard for you to understand. If I only cared about its possible dollar value, it wouldn't matter where I lived or what was going on around me I'd be leaving as soon as those dollar signs were big enough too. I guess that's why so many of you don't care what goes on around you you won't be there, you don't have to live with it and deal with it each day. Some of us don't have or even want another house or condo somewhere else. We love where we are. I know I can't stop this runaway train of development that's plowing down those of us who were stupidly just living here and enjoying life too much. I can't even slow it down. So improve, progress, buy deficiencies, residuals of frostbite, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, psychosis, any of the anxiety states, a depressive neurosis, peripheral neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome or peptic ulcer disease. For POWs detained or interned for 30 days or more, it will be presumed that the disability was incurred in or aggravated during military service, unless there is evidence of some other cause. The laws on former POW benefits recognize that military medical records do not cover periods of incarceration. Adequate medical reasons are required, however, for relating any current condition to military service or POW status. Compensation is paid based on the degree of disability. Veterans rated 30 percent or more disabled qualify for dependency allowance. Dependents of those rated 100-percent 100-percent disabled may qualify for educational assistance. Spouses of veterans rated 100-percent disabled for 10 years prior to death and and sell and make more money till your heart's content. But damn it, quit trying to convince me I'll benefit from it, it's better for me this way and it will make me happy. More shocking news not all of us believe "more money" is the goal. Living is the goal, not "making a living." Some of us actually want our home to be a warm, inviting place to come home to after a day of work or play. We want life to be fulfilling and enjoyable, not just a fat bank account. We don't want a house we just have to own until someone will pay us enough money, to go buy a different one. My house is my home. It's a place I love to be, it makes me happy. It's not just a way to make money maybe for you it is. Go ahead. But give up thinking that I should and will like living where I do because it can make me money if I leave. Try and understand that while I live there I will care what goes on around me. And when you've "improved" everything so much I can't live here anymore, you can own my house too. You won't want to live there either, but that doesn't matter, just think how much money it's worth! I know the end's in sight, but I still care. Michelle Wallace Wilderness experience Editor: What do you get when you take 90 different eighth graders, three days in a row up into the majestic wilderness of the Uinta Mountains? You get three days of: Communication, cooperation, consideration and commitment. You also get: Trust, respect, caring, responsibility and family. But most of all, you get FUN! Last week the eighth grade at Treasure Mountain Middle School was fortunate to experience the Open Air Low Ropes Program with the Norwegian School's Life in Nature Program. The Low Ropes course is a series of challenges requiring team work and problem solving under the direction of a mentor. Ask a TMMS eighth grader for the details. I would like to thank Principal Peggy Schroeder and Assistant Principal Randy Olsen. Without their support, this program would not have been possible. Also a heartfelt thanks to the Eighth Grade Community of Caring. COC worked hard this summer selling snacks at Smith Field to help offset the cost of the ropes program. Most of all, thanks to Tom Cammermeyer and the Norwegian The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. We ask that the letters adhere to the following guidelines: They shoulxddress 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 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 unnecessarily offensive or obscene. All letters will be printed, unless the number exceeds our space limitation. spouses of veterans who die as a result of service-connected disabilities are eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation. As of June 30, 37,313 veterans were receiving VA compensation or pension benefits for 115,422 conditions related to their service and incarceration as a POW. Former POWs are not subject to VA's eligibility assessment and will be provided hospital care. VA may provide outpatient care without limitation to former POWs. POWs held for more than 90 days are eligible for any needed dental treatment. Those held for less than 90 days are eligible for dental treatment for service-connected, non-compensable non-compensable dental conditions. POW coordinators have been assigned to each VA regional office and medical center. Former POWs can contact VA regional offices by calling a toll-free number: 1 (800) 827-1000. Callers are automatically connected to the closest VA regional office. School of Nature Life and the dedicated mentors: Laura, Chaz, Karen, Victor, M.C., Marianne, Z., Bruce, Brett, Tome, Mr. Bill and Sheri. With continued support from the community and the school, successive eighth grade classes can look forward to this program in future years. Janet Faulkner Eighth Grade Community of Caring Paving paradise... Editor: Boy, hats off to the Park City Board of Education for getting rid of that disgusting old ball field by the high school! That new parking lot really is nifty, with its shiny new black top and garish yellow lines. I can hardly wait to see it filled up and all those cars glistening in the noon day sun. And it finally provides some Palladian balance to the west side parking lot, giving a beautiful symmetry to the otherwise drab front facade of the school. And who needed that ugly old baseball field anyway? What with that green grass, brown dirt and an occasional dandelion. Yuk! And all those children running, screaming, laughing. Good riddance! Given some time and money, I'm sure the board could find replacements for the rest of the fields. Maybe we could get some really classy stuff like a big concrete cooling tower or a snazzy waste water treatment aeration pond. Park City residents should be proud of their board for making the tough aesthetic decisions when it comes to spiffing up the place. Regards, David G. Sutliff' Honoring our POWs and MIAs Editor: On Sept. 15, throughout our nation, recognition ceremonies were held in honor of America's former prisoners of war and our missing-in-action. No group is more deserving of America's admiration and gratitude that its former prisoners of war, and the brave families of those who remain listed as missing in action. It's a cruel irony that so many of our best men and women were imprisoned while they were fighting in defense of the very freedom they lost. They have lived through experiences that most of us could it it Register to vote and exercise your right in the primary election on Oct. 3 it it it it it not begin to imagine. Some 60,000 American former POWs are alive today less than half of all the Americans held prisoner in this century. It is estimated that nearly 300 are living today in Utah. In all, 142, 250 Americans, including 83 women, were captured and interned during the two World Wars, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. In the VA, we've seen the impact on the health of those who have been POWs, and we have shared the sadness felt by the families of those who remain missing. But our work also has shown us a more positive feature: As our POWs returned from each of the wars they fought in, they provided stirring examples of endurance in the face of extraordinary hardship. We have come to realize through them the great strength that love of family and country gives us all. We owe these special people a tremendous debt of gratitude, not only for having served America and suffering on our behalf, but for showing us how hope can triumph over bleak despair. Douglas Wadsworth, director VA Regional Office, SLC Student parking fees Dear Ms. Thatcher (KPCW): Regarding your interview with Dr. Andrews and Mr. Klein regarding student parking fees at PCHS: Our family should perhaps be the most concerned because we have no choice but to pay it. Our son works until 10 p.m. and we live out in the county. So he either drives or we drive in to pick him up each night. We choose to pay. We do not object to the $50 fee. PCHS does not have enough space for student parking, especially during construction. We all voted to keep PCHS at its current, albeit tight, in-city location and small parking lots may be one of the prices we payr ; The alternative would have been a much larger bond for a new PCHS at a county location the majority did not want. I don't know if the board of education increased the fee as an incentive to reduce driving to school, but if they did that would seem an appropriate decision. Usually there is a choice in the decision to drive since we all pay for our school buses regardless and they are there, snow or shine, for our children's use. The board of education has our support. Adrian Bradford, parent it it it J V |