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Show ' - -' THE PARK RECORD Viewpoints. A-15 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2001 EDITORIAL OKAY FEUtfERm GETS A PIECE EXCEPT FOR THOSE GREEDY DEMOCRATS! Evacuation shows those in the know Thursday, within an hour of learning that Jeremy Ranch Elementary School had been designated as an evacuation site for about 40 families whose homes were in the line of fire, the school's "incident command team" was in full swing. The quick response was the culmination of three years of planning and numerous training sessions. According to Dr. Denise Colton, Park City School District's Crisis Team Coordinator, the district has stepped up its emphasis on school safety and it paid off. Over the last few years the school board has bolstered its budget for emergency training and supplies. With training from the Summit County Sheriff s Department and the Park City Fire Service District, faculty and administrators have learned what to expect in a crisis and, even more importantly, how to deal with the unexpected. unex-pected. First on the list of essentials, said Colton, was the purchase of cell phonewalkie talkies for every school, and for the district offices. During Thursday's major power outage, the walkie talkies helped the school district dis-trict coordinate efforts to locate and match up parents and students in the evacuation area. Teachers at the school were outfitted with orange safety vests and they immediately took charge of registering regis-tering everyone in the building - an essential service that helped to reassure family members who were sep arated by the traffic snarl caused by the closure of the Interstate. Other teachers shepherded Ecker Hill Middle students, whose school bus had been turned back from Summit Park into the gym, "briefed" them on what was happening and comforted those who were frightened. The school district proved that it is well-prepared for an emergency. About the rest of us - we're not so sure. Those ordered to evacuate, probably would agree that, on the household level most of our emergency planning is woefully lacking. Families grabbed random mementos when, in hindsight, they realized financial papers would have been a smarter choice than photos. Even those who were not within range of the evacuation evacu-ation in Summit Park got a wake-up call. The power outage, which encompassed most of the county and parts of Heber, brought businesses to a standstill and knocked out conventional telephone communication. Signaled intersections were free-for-alls and water company pumps shut down. Thursday was an important lesson for the entire community. No one was hurt, our fire and sheriffs departments proved their effectiveness and homeowners homeown-ers in the notorious wildlandurban interface were reminded of the importance of all those "defensible space" lectures. At the same time many others realized how vulnerable they are, even to minor disruptions. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A frustrated Park City local JOHN KILBOURNPdflK RECORD Editor: I was frustrated with the most recent primary election. I supported my uncle, Jim Doilney, with his campaign but I could not vote for him because I live outside out-side of Park City limits. The frustration does not stop there. I take major pride in Park City for many reasons, but primarily it's because I grew up here and this city made me who I am. I went to Marsac Elementary school. I saw the Coalition Building burn down. I skied Deer Valley before there were lifts. I grew up in one of the first homes in Thaynes Canyon. I helped my family open The Rocky Mountain Christmas Gifts on Main Street and the Corner Store (now Moose's) on the resort plaza. Of course, these are just a few experiences that, I consider, make me a local. Now, I nave a Park City address but I am unrepresented in our city government because I have no say. I am a Park City local without the right to vote in the city. I understand that Western Summit County residents have representation in the county but many of us don't consider the county cur city. We have Park' City addresses. We support Park City businesses. busi-nesses. Many of us work in Park City, we regularly eat in local restaurants, and we frequent local retail businesses. We live the Park City experience, but it's like we are a large, invisible segment of Park City citizenry. Well, it's time, Dana Williams, Fred Jones and other Western Summit County residents, to make a change! It's time to give Western Summit County residents a say in their city, whether it's Park City or its own city. It's time to incorporate Western Summit County residents with Park City addresses into Park City. Otherwise, it's time for all these citizens to form a city with their own city officials. Sincerely, Jake Doilney Dana in November Editor, Yesterday I voted for Dana Williams for Mayor. I'm going to vote for him in November as well. I think Dana Williams will give Park City outstanding leadership at a critical time. We face many problems of growth, water, Main Street business, Olympics, parking and many more. Dana has given unselfishly of his time in the past. He has a long relationship with Park City and Summit County. He strikes me as honest, motivated and intelligent. intel-ligent. I think Dana Williams is the best candidate and I'm going to vote for him. Martin McNeil Time for a statesman Editor: It's time. "A politician thinks of the next elec-tion-a statesman of the next generation." James Clark It's time for Park City to elect a statesman. states-man. It's time for Dana Williams. Christie Bambery A necessary correction Editor: I read with interest your lead story on the results of the Primary Election As a major supporter of papa Williamss 'can- didacy, I wish to correct your editorial comment regarding the nature of Dana's campaign. Dana received an overwhelming overwhelm-ing majority of the votes in the three-way race because he appeals to all voters in every part of town. Those who voted for him cannot and should not be pigeonholed as "disenfranchised," "disenfran-chised," as your lead article in the Wednesday, Park Record suggests. Residents of Park City of every stripe believe that Dana will work as hard for us in government as he has in the past as a citizen activist. His insistence that this election is "about all of us" is the central theme of the campaign. The record turnout of voters in this primary election shows that people responded to the call. Thank you, Neil Mellen The other heroes Editor: The terrible events that have unfolded in our country have brought out many stories of heroism and of those who have risked themselves in the hopes of helping others. One large group of these unsung heroes are the search-and-rescue dogs The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. We ask that the letters adhere to the following guidelines:They must include the address and telephone number of author. No letter will be published under an assumed name. They must not contain libelous material. Writers are limited to one letter every 28 davs. Letters must not be longer than 350 words (guest editorials, 550 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. E-mail your letter to: editorparkrecord.com that have been working in the rubble of the World Trade Center, first in the hopes of finding survivors and, now, in the hope of helping to find some of the thousands of the missing. Some of these heroes include "Bear," a golden retriever who located and saved the lives of five New York City firefighters, and a German shepherd who fell five stories trying to save the life of a woman in a pocket of debris. The German shepherd was treated and survived his fall with the help of the veterinary medical support team at the on-site Mobile Animal Hospital. The Suffolk County (New York) SPCA is in need of any donations that can be made to their nonprofit organization. They are the lead organization providing support and coordination of the search-and-rescue K-9 teams as well as veterinary veteri-nary medical care for the animals that are working in the rubble at "ground zero" 24-hours a day, seven days a week, with an all volunteer staff. They have been working since Sept. 11th in conjunction with the FEMA and VMAT (Veterinary Medical Assistance Team). The Suffolk SPCA is funded solely by private donations dona-tions and receives absolutely no money whatsoever from the NYC ASPCA. White- Pine veterinary Clinic is collecting donations for the Suffolk SPCA to help with their effort or donations can be made directly online at www.suffolksp-ca.org. www.suffolksp-ca.org. David McDonald, DVM White Pine Veterinary Clinic Park City Another perspective... Editor; I agree with Mike Eberiien's assessment assess-ment of the jury in the Eslinger vs. Kmart case and hope that Kmart will appeal. Kmart was charged with the wrongful death of the Eslingers' 19-year-old son, Ryan, who, in 1996, purchased a 12-gauge shotgun at the Kimball Junction store and later killed himself with it. To be found guilty of such a charge, the jury had to agree with the Eslingers that Kmart, as a corporation, was "malicious andor recklessly reck-lessly negligent" toward Ryan and that their malicious andor recklessly negligent negli-gent behavior caused Ryan's death. It is understandable that anguished and grieving parents might level such an accusation accu-sation against Kmart but it is astonishing that a jury of 12 found Kmart guilty as charged. It should be noted that Kmart did not break any federal laws that were then in place at the time of the ill-fated sale. The Eslingers did, however, find a loophole in the manner in which federal regulations were complied with. It should also be noted that Kmart employees were not aware of Ryan's schizophrenic illness, his sedated state, or his suicidal tendencies (Ryan had attempted suicide one month prior to his actual death). His parents were aware of all these factors. Even so, Mrs. Eslinger flew to California, to be with Mr. Eslinger, on the morning of Ryan's suicide. sui-cide. If Ryan's parents were unable to discern dis-cern their son's propensity for self-harm and take appropriate steps to protect him, how could they expect Kmart employees to do so? Kmart employees' actions could be labeled regrettable human error (the way the sales transaction was handled). Also, it would have been commendable if they had noticed something was wrong with Ryan and had prevented the sale. However, human error and less than perfect per-fect judgment is not a malicious recklessly reckless-ly negligent action that caused the death of Ryan Eslinger. His mental illness caused his death. The fact that his parents claim that they will use the money they are awarded (far short of the $60 million they originally sued for) for schizophrenic research and not improved gun control, testifies to this reality. The Eslingers said their intentions in suing Kmart were to prevent this kind of tragedy from occurring to another family. However, their litigious actions are not likely to save future lives because since the time of this tragedy, the federal laws surrounding firearm sales have already changed. Today, not only are two forms of ID required, along with proof of residency, resi-dency, but a thorough background check on the purchaser must be completed before purchase. I can understand how the tremendous emotional pressure, frustration and guilt of living with Ryan's mental illness influ- SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION 1 Year inside Summit County, $32, outside Summit County, $60 Mastercard Exp. or Visa No. Date: Name Mailing Address Mail to: The Park Record, P.O. Box 3688, Park City, Utah 84060 enced the Eslingers' decision to sue Kmart. But I am disappointed that the jury sided with emotionally impassioned parents instead of looking at the facts rationally. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much to prevent future incidents like this from happening, but it does encourage the litigious attitude that makes every accident and tragedy into an opportunity to make someone else pay for it. Wendy Dunn The Park Record Staff PUBUSHER Editor Staff writers Contributing writers Editor's assistant Classified advertising Office manager Circulation manager Accounting manager Advertising director Advertising sales Web development Editorial production Photographers Production director Production Distribution Cartoonist Andy Bernhard Nan Chalat-Noaker Jay Hamburger Karri Dell Hays Tim Sullivan Jason Reade Patrick Connors Shane McCammon Nicole Slaven Tom Clyde Rick Brough Teri Orr Gary Weiss JayMeehan Courtney Herzinger Ian McNeil Wendy Dunn Parti Christensen Cathy Vanderweghe Stephanie Borders Valerie Deming Gayle Seaman Anne Cummings Wendy Halliday Leslie Schag Shanelle Russell Wade N. Hall Tricia Hintze Inkarna Thomas Kat James Stephen Zusy Scott Sine Matt Gordon Kristi Ruppert Tricia M. Graham Rory Lewis Michael Ascani Sarah Walker Karen Yetter John Kilboum Contents of the The Park Record are copyright 2001, Diversified Suburban Newspapers. All rights reserved No portion may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the managing editor edi-tor or publisher. The Park Record (USPS 378-730) (ISSN 0745-9483) 0745-9483) is published twice weekly by Diversified Suburban Newspapers, 1670 Bonanza Dr., Park City, Utah. Periodicals Postage paid at Park City, Utah. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Park Record, Box 3688, Park City, Utah 84060. Entered as second class matter, May 25, 1977 at the post office in Park City, Utah 84060, under the Act of March 3, 1897. Subscription rates are $32 inside Summit County, $60 outside Summit County, Utah. Subscriptions are transferable; $5 cancellation fee. Phone (435) 649-9014 or fax (435) 649-4942. Published every Wednesday and Saturday. rUI LI Ivr I vWUI U Asked on Main Street and the farmer's market at The Canyons Have you made any changes to your travel plans since September 11? PHOTOS BY STEPHEN ZUSY r Becky Savage "I was going to go east for Thanksgiving, but I've decided not to spend the money. I'm not nervous ner-vous about flying." I '4 . a Michele Massony "No, we took a trip that was planned prior to the attack. We have no flight plans now, but I would like to go to New York. It's not keeping me from flying." ft . k A ; Dana Kent "Yes, I'm now planning a trip to New York instead of canceling a trip. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support New York." '".., 1111 " .wiiniimiiiiwii i i . i. . in. m Lisa Phinney "Yes, I postponed my wild trip to Las Vegas for two weeks!" , . ... r Y .tit tew 1 George and Peggy Baumann "Absolutely not! We flew in from Dallas and were surprised to find a full airplane, but had no problems flying." |