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Show Citizen - Thursday, December Editorial High lake doesn't surprise farmers "Water, water everywhere." That's what faces Utah County with Utah Lake spilling over it's brim. And it really shouldn't be much of a surprise, according to B. Neil Christensen, a member of the board of directors of the Utah Lake Land Owners Association. Mr. Christensen also represents the fifth generation of his family that has farmed the land around Utah Lake. Mr. Christenen called last week to take exception to the implications of a news story in last week's newspaper. Mr. Christensen felt that the story explained the level of the lake that is known as compromise as being simply that, the level of the lake. Mr. Christensen explains that compromise for Utah Lake is the result of an 1888 agreement between the people who used the land around Utah Lake and those who used the water from the lake or irrigation. That agreement, according to Mr. Christensen, set Compromise as "the maximum level agreed to that the lake would ever be allowed to rise." "Your ground above that would be free from ever having encroachment by water," according to that agreement. The agreement hasn't been kept for years. For the most part the lake has been kept at a level that keeps water moving into the Jordan at a rate that is advantageous to those in the Salt Lake Valley who use the water. That's the result of a struggle over who controls the water flowing out of Utah Lake, and, as Mr. Christensen says, "He who controls the water controls a lot of money." Calls to clear out an obstruction in the Jordan called Indian Ford which would allow more water to run out of Utah Lake have gone unheard for years, limiting the amount of water the Jordan can carry. That's caused problems in the past. Mr. Christensen said in the fall of 1951, the lake was three feet below compromise. In the spring of 1952, after a heavy runoff, the lake was 3 feet above compromise. "And here we sit this year with the thing at one and a quarter feet above compromise in the fall and somebody starts to scream 'Panic,' " he explains. They should. With a normal spring runoff, the lake will rise more than three feet above compromise, flooding 150 homes in Provo, damaging the Provo airport and Utah Lake State Park, I and causing severe problems for local treatment plants. It's a situation Mr. Christensen says the farmers have seen coming for a long time. Now state and county officials are looking for ways to lower the lake level. The Salt Lake Board of Canals, after 60 years, has finally acquiesced to a plan to clear Indian Ford. But efforts by the county to do that last week found the river bed too soft to be cleared easily. The Army Corps of Engineers has informed the state that the Jordan would have to be dry for two weeks before efforts to clear that obstruction could be carried out successfully. Keeping the water in the lake while the river bed dries could increase the lake level more than will be taken out once the obstruction is removed. And the Jordan's inability to carry the water out of the lake isn't the only problem. Recently new water has been introduced into the drainage area that fills Utah Lake from the Weber and Duchesne Rivers water that was not forseen when the compromise agreement was reached. In effect, more water has been put in, and not enough can be taken out. With hindsight, the result we now see seems predictable. There appears to be no simple solution to the problem Utah Lake now poses for Utah County. But the situation we now face graphically demonstrates the need for cooperation between those in Salt Lake County who use the water in Utah Lake and those who are trying to use the land around Utah Lake. The compromise agreement was made so the shores of Utah Lake could be farmed and used for recreation without fear of flooding. Those who make decisions that ultimately affect the level of the lake should work diligently to see that the agreement is kept that the level lake is brought below compromise and kept there. UTech names GE coordinator Utah Technical College at Provo-Orem Provo-Orem officials have announced that Veonne W. Howlett, Pleasant Grove, will assume responsibilities of General Education coordinator, replacing Dr. Douglas Warner, new dean of Business, General Education and Learning Services. Mrs. Hewlett's position became effective Wednesday, Dec. 15. Currently a doctoral candidate through Utah State University, her Buchanan & Associates Call 225-0224 Financial Planning I state Planning lite and Health Insurance Employee Benefits Croup Health. Life. Disability Keogh. I R A. Pensions Buy Sell Insurance ' , Clive J. Buchanan 330 W. 800 N. Suite 217 Orem, Utah 84057 16, 1982 Page 2 major field of study is curriculum development with business education and supervision also included. An employee of U.T.C. since 1966, she was employed by Orem Jr. High School, Millard High School and Monticello High School. Currently state vice president for the Western Association of Coop 15 East Main Sale Sale Sale BUCHANAN IMPORTS The Editors Column By MARC HADDOCK As I grew up in that small town in southeastern Idaho, I came to associate the Christinas season with, among other things, a lot of work. My father owned a grocery store, where I worked as a bagger, stock boy, checker and, later on, some-time manager from the time I was 10 or 11 until I left for college when I was 18. Christmastime and the first week in July were the busiest times of the year. It snows a lot in Montpelier, and I remember my Christmas seasons as a series of excursions into the brisk night air with no coat, carrying groceries to different cars along Main Street, selling Christmas trees that stood in front of the store and helping people find what they wanted to buy. It was fun because most of those people were friendlier then than at any other time of the year. Then I'd run-jump-slide and run-jump-slide my way down the icy sidewalk until I was back inside the warm store, where I would sneak over to the place we displayed the boxes of bulk Christmas candy. I developed a habit of walking by It is a cold morning and I need to write of something that will warm my spirit and make me enjoy the day. I picked up a little bulletin that I receive and there on the front page was a poem by R.W. Glover. It was titled "Your town and You." "If you want to live in the kind of town, like the kind of a town you like, You needn't slip your clothes in a grip and start on a long, long hike, Cause you'll only find what you've left behind, for there's nothing that's really new. It's a knock at yourself when you knock your town; For it isn't the town its you! Real towns are not made by men afraid les somebody else gets ahead, For when everyone works and nobody shirks you can raise up a town from the dead. And if while you make your personal stake your neighbor can make one, too Your town will be what you want it to be Cause it isn't the town - ITS YOU." I am as guilty as anyone else in complaining of the weeds around our streets, or the crumbling sidewalks in some parts of our city, or the failure of our police to arrest speeders going through our downtown shopping area, yet in my travels around this old world I have never found a place I would rather live than right here in American Fork. Sure it is not perfect, but all of us in our own way can make it better. Even a kind word or a smile to our fellowmen can make the world a little brighter. I like the story of two travelers seeking a place in which to live. The first one came to a community and met an old man who was leisurely whittling. "Good morning, Sir" said the traveler. "I should like to settle in this community. I hope that the folks here are better than I found at the last place." "What kind of folks were they?" asked the old man. "They were terrible. Nothing but cheats and gossips. They never gave an honest man a chance." "No", said the old townsman. "The Educators and Employers and president of the Utah State Coop Association, she is also the presidentelect president-elect of the U.T.C. at Provo-Orem Faculty Association and president of Delta Pi Epsilon. A Spanish Fork native, Mrs. Howlett and her husband, Leonard, are parents of five children. Am. Fork & GIFTS European Christmas Specials 'Imports from Germany Reduced 20 to 50 RUTCMCXUS Save up to J 10.79, Reg. 25.95 to 53.95 SMALL KUSiC BOXES, save up to $7.49, reg. 14.95 UUtSE KUS1C BOXES, save up to $9.99, reg. 49.95 milSi, save up toi $9.19, reg. 39.95 to 49.95 HMsxicsn Christen Specials . 0XYX CHESS SETS, save up to 55.99, reg $19.95 to $29.95 PIXATAS, save $1.01, reg, $8.00 U.?.it:d qur.titirs, Ho nin checks St!iEndsSat,Dacl8flS32 the candy display. It was the best part of the store during Christmas. Every year we had boxes and boxes of chocolate-covered candy of all sorts. We would cut the tops off and put a lift-up cover over them so customers could fill up a sack until they had as much as they wanted of the kinds they liked. It was very popular. We had boxes of chocolate-covered peanuts and chocolate-covered raisins. There were chocolate-covered chocolate-covered caramels and mints and cream drops. Every so often we would take a hammer and pull from a box the biggest Hershey bar ever seen and pound it into small pieces to go in another box full of dipping chocolate. My favorite was a ring of jelly covered in chocolate. I'd put it in my mouth and let it sit there while the chocolate melted off before biting into the sweet jelly. It's not uncommon to find these candies in most stores. But when we opened up the boxes as Christmas neared, and looked inside, it was like opening a pirate's treasure chest especially for a 12 year old. by Tom people here are no different from those you just left. You had better look elsewhere." The traveler departed with a heavy heart. Later in the day another traveler greeted the old man. "Good morning, Sir," he said. "I am looking for a community where I (DiMeir Mw For C!iiFitai&22 -; J. - J ; V I Vf fjK JJfJ .0 . . i -" - ' vrv 1 - H if - .--', v.. I - . - ..- . , f I - - -ry - - i ; I - . i - t , i ... BEAUTIFUL PLAY FURNITURE such as this stimulates a child's imagination and creativity. Bring your for a delightful experience in creative Only a limited number of orders can be Many other items: Indooroutdoor Fun Center Doll high chair Doll cradle or crib Table and chairs Horse shaped rocking chair Many handcrafted gift items Open 10:00 a.m. 560 Around the bend . O" . II o . I loved that display. The smell of the rich chocolate was everywhere, and when I passed the display I would always reach inside one of the boxes and pull out a piece or two of candy to keep me going. And I seemed to be going a lot, and always by a route that took me past those boxes of candy. My father doubled as the butcher, so he spent most of his time in the back of the store cutting meat. He was always so far away it seemed safe to be snitching. It took me a while to realize that, by direct line of sight down one grocery aisle, he had a perfect view of the candy display. And time after time I'd pilfer a piece of chocolate and then look back, only to see him eyeing me with a look that seemed to lie somewhere between bet-ween anger and amusement. He understood that I was eating away the profits. But he also knew that I'd picked up the practice from watching him. He liked that candy as much as I did. So when I found out I was under surveillance, I didn't worry about it too much. I'd still plan my route so I Griffiths may live in quiet. I thought perhaps you might tell me if I can find it here?" "And how were the people you left," inquired the old man. "They were the finest people I have ever known. Always willing to help each other in time of trouble, Like all human beings, they made mistakes, Super remain bright and clean. children to our showroom fun. And please don't delay. taken for Christmas. Hutch unfinished Range unfinished Refrigerator or Sink unfinished Set of 4 $ nfinished with full unfinished with full payment down Preschool Desk 91 unfinished - 9:00 p.m., Mon.-Fr.f West Main, American toward Lehi, near the went past the candy when I had to run up to the front of the store to bag groceries or check someone out And I'd always reward myself for my efforts. I would look back up that aisle to find Dad had once again caught me in the act and he'd always act like he thought I should keep my hands to myself. But I was too week to overcome that temptation of the flesh an unlimited supply of the best bulk candy in town. Still it helped me to learn an important im-portant lesson. For three or four years I carried on that way, snitching treats under , my father's disapproving disap-proving eyes. I was young. I didn't mind getting caught. But as I. got older, that disapproval started to bother me. It bothered me so much that eventually I had to change. And through that change I learned one of the important lessons of life. I learned to look first to see if I was being observed, and then to snitch the candy when I saw that all was clear. I'm sure I wasn't fooling Dad. But I found that the candy tasted even better. but they were honest and sincere with each other. I hated to leave them." "Well, young man, this is the place for you. These people are no different from those you just left." The sun is now up over old Mount Timp, I can feel its warmth on my back. I do believe this is going to be a good day. play furniture that will last a lifetime Every piece is: STRONG Visit our showroom and test the strength of this amazing wood. 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