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Show American Fork CitizenLone Peak New Utah! - Wednesday, April 25. 2001 - Page 2 O PINION M I- t L. ii1,i.i1i.,iii1M.,ioiiS ' --ruiiiiiiiriiiiiir-'r -a Revising the districts North Utah County has a lot at stake as state legislators start the process of redrawing the state's political boundaries. In fact, existing boundaries are so poorly drawn, almost any realignment scheme would be an improvement. These political divisions, the boundaries that define state senate sen-ate and representative districts as well as school board districts, can have a major impact on the role a community can play in state politics, and how well its residents and interests are represented repre-sented at the state level. American Fork is a good example exam-ple of a community which was gutted of any effective representation represen-tation in the state years ago when the line for the local House of Representative districts was drawn down the middle of the community. Half of the city is represented by the same person who represents repre-sents Lehi, the other half by the legislator from Highland and Alpine. Because the city's vbte is divided, for decades American Fork has been unable to elect anyone from the community to serve in the House. The current State Senate boundaries are another example. In this case, Lehi is included in the Senate district that covers south Salt Lake County, while other north Utah County communities commu-nities are included in the district that includes Orem. By separating Lehi from its north Utah County neighbors, this bit of gerrymandering effectively effec-tively leaves Lehi without representation repre-sentation in the Utah Senate, . and weakens the area's overall representation. Cedar Valley is in an even weaker position, as it learned during the recent controversy over a landfill near Fairfield. The area is part of the same senatorial senatori-al district as southern Utah County. While these areas once shared a common agricultural bond, the building of Eagle Message from the On March 13, by a unanimous vote of all five members, the Alpine District Board of Education Educa-tion passed a resolution calling for a $200 million bond election to be held on May 8. Although I didn't vote on the matter, I was part of the decision and recognize the pressing need to build several sever-al schools, renovate or remodel numerous older facilities, and acquire new sites for the future. It was an extremely painful decision for me, as it was for the board. Two hundred million dollars dol-lars is a lot of money, especially for taxpayers who have already dug deep into their pockets to support public education. I won't minimize the effects of this tax increase. It will impact everyone; it will especially affect people on fixed incomes who are reeling from previous tax increases, by all government agencies, and recent rises in utility bills. So why are we asking the public pub-lic for so much money when we know that it will increase their financial burden? Because we have no choice. As painful as it will be, the shock will not be as great as if we do nothing.' We are facing skyrocketing enrollments. At present, more than 1,000 new students each year; and demographic forecasts tell us to expect some 8,000 to 10,000 new students over, the next five to seven years. In addition, addi-tion, many of our facilities are painfully outdated or in need of repair. We have tried to keep up with the crowds without asking for a bond right now. The 12 new schools we built in the 90s alleviated allevi-ated much of the overcrowding. Even with that, though, we now have 20 percent of our students attending school in portable classrooms. Alpine District has been called the trailer city of Utah's school American Fork Citizen ffewUtah! (ISSN No. 1521-6845) (U.S.P.S. No. 018-580) A mambar ol Ha??.,, ?hcu NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION Mountain has drastically changed the demographics of Cedar Valley, but their state senator sen-ator is completely out of touch with the changes brought by Eagle Mountain, and failed to represent their collective interests. inter-ests. Redistricting could do a lot to solve these problems, if committee commit-tee members can find a way to combine rather than divide the political strengths of north Utah County communities. It makes sense to include all of American Fork in the same House district, and to place all of north Utah County, including Lehi and Cedar Valley, in the same senate district, along with Pleasant Grove, Highland, Alpine, Lindon and Cedar Hills. These communities share common com-mon interests and concerns that are very different from those of Orem and Provo, and are even more removed from the communities commu-nities on the north side of the Point of the Mountain. This would allow the area to elect representatives rep-resentatives who know and understand local issues. It would also give the north county area fair representation in the Utah Legislature, something that's been missing for decades. There are challenges to achieving achiev-ing this kind of fairness. Redistricting Redis-tricting is a game of both numbers num-bers and politics. District boundaries bound-aries must be drawn so that each one contains approximately the same number of residents. There is also the tendency by the party in power to redraw district lines so as to strengthen the party's grip on government a practice known as gerrymandering. However, north Utah County communities will never have fair representation in state government govern-ment until lines are drawn in a way that unites, rather than divides, our communities. The current redistricting process underway in Salt Lake City is an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal. , Superintendent system. We have also placed 16 of our schools on productivity schedules, such as extended-day, to increase building capacity. It's true, we could have asked the public for less money right now. But I know for a fact that if we do, well be back in two or three years asking for more. With this bond, we will be able to build at least 11 new schools (eight ele-mentaries, ele-mentaries, two junior highs, and an alternative high school); it will provide for 41 remodeling or renovation ren-ovation projects in all parts of the district; and it will allow us to acquire several new sites for future construction. It would not be fair or professional profes-sional of me to market the bond with scare tactics, hype, or appeal to pity. Rather, I put my trust in the fact that there is a very real and urgent need for new schools. I also place my trust in the board of education. These five people are lay citizens; their taxes will go up with everyone else's. They all voted for the bond with their resolution of March 13. . The decision is yours, and it's a tough one. The fact that we have kept pace with this district's spi-raling spi-raling growth is a real credit to the foresight and generosity of our citizens. The frightening reality real-ity is that to continue to provide for the academic success of so many students will come with a high price. Vernon Henshaw is superintend dent of the Alpine School District. Published weekly by Tie J'ew(ahiews V n nut t " 111 SVM..I Ml t 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 California Adventure fails During a recent trip to southern California, we decided to visit Disney's Dis-ney's new California Adventure. Sharon and Kari had been to Disneyland only weeks before on a choir tour, and they really didn't want to do Disney again. While the main purpose of the trip was business, busi-ness, we had a free day. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to try something new. It was interesting to see the changes in the Disney theme park area since my last visit, which was several years ago. The old parking lot has been replaced, to a large extent, with the California Adventure Adven-ture and a five- or six-story Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. The entrances to both theme parks are off of the same plaza Disneyland on one side and the California Cal-ifornia Adventure on the other. In addition, Disney has added Downtown Down-town Disney, a row of shops that make it possible for people to spend lots of money without ever entering either theme park. In other words, now they can take your money without getting you inside the tent. We avoided Downtown Disney and went right for the California Adventure. It isn't cheap the same as Disneyland at $45 per adult and $33 for children. Things to prepare for lots of walking on pavement, lots of other people walking on the same pavement, pave-ment, and lots of "California" music If you don't like the Beach Boys, bring earplugs. The music can get annoying. At Be prepared My sincere appreciation to the few who took the time to actually respond to my questions about creation and the origin of man in my column of two weeks ago. If we are grounded in faith, the university univer-sity of life is loaded with many delightful surprises. Like a child discovering the world for the first time, there is wonder in everything! every-thing! Maybe that's why, as soon as they can speak, little kids start asking questions. Later on, when , we start to think we have everything every-thing figured out, the Lord of the Universe throws in a few surprises. surpris-es. So, prepare to be surprised. Some examples: D&C 101:32-34- "Hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made" are yet to be revealed. Alma 40:3 and Moses 1:31 also indicate that some very important truths are beyond the scope of our mortal understanding. understand-ing. This does not mean we should stop inquiring either by study or by faith few commands are repeated as oft as the one to ask. Ironically, the more we think we know the less likely we are to ask. An open mind seems to be the one with the most questions. I've also been reading Gerald Lund's new book, Fishers of Men. The story plays out the interesting interest-ing fact that all through the Old Testament prophecies of both the suffering Savior and the conquering conquer-ing king are found side by side. From all we can tell, nowhere in Jewish literature did it reveal that the promised Messiah would come more than once. Some were prepared to be surprised and others oth-ers couldn't give ' up what they thought they knew. , Which brings me to another bit of wisdom. Beware of "Mormon Rabbi-ism." Some would have you believe that church doctrine can be established by stringing together a great many quotes from past or even present church leaders; sometimes they aren't Vote for bond Editor: Many citizens are practically up in arms over the fact that the Alpine School Board is not putting a new high school for Lehi on the proposed bond. Perhaps we are shooting ourselves in the foot over the high school issue. Telephone Numbers Advertising & Circulation 756-7669 News .. ....756-5273 Publisher .Brett Bezant Managing Editor Marc Haddock AF City Editor . . . .Barbara Christiansen Lone Peak Editor .Beky Beaton Periodicals Postage Paid at American Fork, Utah POSTMASTER: sand tddrtn change to 59 Wttt Main, Anwrican Fork, Utah 84003 Deadlines Classified Advertising . . .Tuesday, noon Display Advertising , . . .Monday, 5 p.m. News Monday, 2 p.m. Missionaries Monday, 2 p.m. Weddings Monday, 2 p.m. Sports .Monday, 10 a.m. Community Calendar . .Monday, 10 a.m. Letters to the Editor . . .Monday. 10 a.m. Obituaries .Tuesday, 11 a.m. Subscription price $24w fife lL the entrance, the music is all original, origi-nal, and kind of fun, with California-related songs from the '40s on, but when you reach Paradise Bay, where some of the best rides are,' the music is loud and synthesized (make that "Disney-ized"). And for the most part it's all beach music from the '60s. The park has California written all over it. Literally. There are big letters spelling out C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A. Instead of the Tomorrowland and Frontierland type themes, this theme park focuses on the diverse nature of California. It's a great state, but I thought the theme was a little thin to be the focus of an entire park, although I suppose foreign for-eign visitors, especially those from Asia, would find all of this fascinating. fascinat-ing. There's the Bountiful Valley Farm and Golden Vine Winery, where they have put in garden plots among the asphalt paths, including a full-scale vineyard that has not yet had time to grow. Even Disney can't make grapevines grow any faster than they wish to. Condor Flats celebrates the state's role in aviation history. The Grizzly Bear Recreation Area com to be surprised ill mi (Mi? firn even quoted in context. Such methods are akin to appealing to the oral tradition of the Jewish Rabbis interesting and educational, educa-tional, but not necessarily authoritative. author-itative. Although I couldn't handle such an idea in college, I now find it a pleasant surprise that many LDS scientists actually view the theory of human evolution as faith promoting. Although I can't begin to examine every question brought up in my last column, I would like to look at alternative views of at least a few. Please bear ; in mind, and this is for my Mom as much as anyone, I am not advocating advo-cating any particular interpretation interpreta-tion or opinion. I just think it's valuable to look at every possible point of view you know, ask the questions. For example, was their death before the Fall and did Adam and Eve begin life as immortal beings? The basis for this traditional point of view in the church comes from 2 Nephi.2:22, which says that all things which were created must have remained in the same state' in which they were created, forev-. er and had no end. However, Stephens and Meldrum point out (in the book mentioned two weeks ago) that nowhere in the creation accounts does it say that Adam and Eve were born as immortals, nor does the above reference say there was no death. What about the food they consumed? And why did they need the Tree of Life if they were already Reader's Forum Let's face it. Lehi . is greatly benefiting from this bond. Six of the proposed eight new elementary elemen-tary schools will be in the Lehi area. One of the proposed two jun- ior high schools will be in Lehi. Overall we can only gain by passing pass-ing this bond. If the bond fails, the Alpine School Board probably will not have another bond election for . We welcome letters to the editor. All letters must include the author's name (printed AND signed) and a telephone number. num-ber. Wg reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, punctuation, punctua-tion, taste and length. Letters are welcome on any topic. HOW TO REACH U8 By Mail P.O. Box 7, American UT 84003 In Person 59 W. Main, American to dazzle memorates the natural forest attractions of California, including" the signature man-made mountain that looks like a bear. The Pacific Wharf recreates the fishing indus-try indus-try and Paradise Bay is a look at the beach scene. Finally Hollywood Picture Pic-ture Backlot represents the state's '. other major industry movies. The rides varied from the fascinating fasci-nating to the mundane. California Screamin', the roller coaster that is featured on a lot of the advertising, is pretty good. We weren't ready for the 0-60 mph-in- 1 less-than-five-seconds takeoff, so it was quite a rush. And the Grizzly River Run was a fun run down the ' river rapids from the top of Grizzly -.' Bear Mountain. Soaring Over California takes place in a huge hangar and it was a"-great a"-great indoor ride that makes you1' feel like you're in the outdoors. Another highlight was "If s Tough to be a Bug," a 3-D presentation that entertained from start to finish. fin-ish. To be avoided: The Sun Wheel, a Ferris wheel in which we completed only one revolution before we were moved out to make room for the next riders, and Superstar Limo, which is too ridiculous to describe. You wouldn't believe me if I told you. On the whole, there's a lot to do, a lot to buy and lot of places to spend too much money on overpriced over-priced fast food. Despite that, I don't , think it compares with its next door neighbor, Disneyland, the grandfa-,-ther of all theme parks. immortal? Furthermore, why j were they barred from the Tree of ' Life after partaking of the fruit of ! the Tree of Knowledge of Good I and Evil? Could it be' that they I would live forever only if they had ! access to the Tree of Life? And ', what about meat-eating animals? ; If they ate only plants before the ; Fall, which are also living things, ; their physiology must have changed drastically. ; ; Which brings me to another-j caveat: what ' in' the creation accounts is figurative and what is 1 literal? We know, for" example,"1 that the illustrative story of howjj Eve was created from one ofj Adam's ribs is "simply figurative." What other things in the creation accounts are figurative? Meaning, 1 I take it, that God may be more interested in our learning about . our relationship to him and to . each other than about the actual . methodology of creation. Never-;, theless, both seem to be impor- ; tant. - Are the physical bodies of human beings the result of special creation, unrelated to the animal kingdom? Again, as Stephens and Meldrum point out, although we would expect to find some, there v seems to be no scientific evidence .' for this presumption. The tradi-; tional measures of human unique- ness, such as erect posture, use of tools, language, reasoning, self-; I awareness, compassion, etc. all seem to be differences only ofjj degree rather than kind. In LDS, doctrine, spiritual lineage and its JJ resultant moral accountability! seems to be the only line of ir demarcation between animals and man. And with every alternative ; point of view come more ques- 2 tions. What about measurements of time and what does D&C 77:6 J mean when it talks about the J 7,000 years of the earth's tempo- ; ral existence? I hope I'm ready to'; be surprised. ;j ' 1 several years at least. What are the already over-crowded elementary elemen-tary and junior high schools going to do in the meantime? Our younger children will certainly cer-tainly be the losers if the bond fails to pass. Vote "Yes" when you go to the ballot box May 8 and our; children will be the winners. ! ; Kathy Russon; Fork, Fork By Fax 758-5274 By E-Mail editornewutah.com i 4 (poor c |