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Show un pleasant Grove ReviewLindon Review New Utah - Thursday, April 8, 2004 - Page 2 Opinion uvea (5 The right to speak is sacred regarding how certain city ordinances should be interpreted. inter-preted. That is their constitutional constitu-tional right. However, publisher Brett Bezzant disagreed with their basic premise, as did Storrs and Hunter. Since there were no more publications prior to the election, Bezzant delivered a flyer to American Fork residences resi-dences correcting what he believed to be false and misleading mis-leading information and apologizing apol-ogizing to Storrs and Hunter for distributing information that brought their candidacies into question. He, too, was entitled to his opinion. Jacob, however, objected to being identified as the representative representa-tive of the nonpartisan group and also filed a lawsuit claiming claim-ing Bezzant's publication defamed his reputation. In response to Jacob's law-suit, law-suit, Bezzant filed an anti-SLAPP anti-SLAPP counterclaim. His contention con-tention was that Jacob's suit was punishing his expression of political speech and his legitimate participation in the political process. SLAPP stands for "Strategic lawsuits against public participation." partic-ipation." The public has the right to participate in its government gov-ernment and to express views without fear of retaliatory lawsuits. The judge who found in Bezzant's favor on every point stood behind a local community communi-ty newspaper, and in the broader sense, for the ability of the citizenry to stand up and be heard. A chance to get involved Newspapers have long been considered the watchdogs of their communities. In this role they learn information and disseminate it to the public. They stand in for the residents resi-dents who are affected by certain cer-tain questions under consideration consider-ation by their cities, but may not be able to attend all the meetings involved. The newspaper's voice must be one of reason and must reflect the truth. Last week there was a victory vic-tory for that voice. The former publisher of the American Fork Citizen was absolved of blame for actions he took to preserve that forum of truth. The case began during the 1999 American Fork municipal munici-pal election. A resident of the community prepared an anonymous insert from a source calling itself a Nonpartisan Nonpar-tisan Citizens Group. The flyer was included in the newspaper immediately prior to the election. Bill Jacob, the group's sole known member, had the insert preprinted and paid for its distribution. The group (or Jacob) claimed two of the candidates, Tom Hunter and Ricky Storrs, were ineligible ineligi-ble to run for City Council unless they gave up what he considered part-time employment employ-ment with the city. Hunter's insurance firm provided health insurance coverage for employees and Storrs was a part-time ambulance employee. employ-ee. Jacob's group had every right to express its opinion 11 . i Especially at Easter There isn't an easy way to. say this, so I'll just say it: Dad is dying. Of course, this isn't a great surprise. sur-prise. He's 93 years old and has Alzheimer's (or is it dementia? I'm still a little uncertain). I've written writ-ten his obituary three times during dur-ing the past three years. Each time we think something is going to take him from us - pneumonia, diabetes or a fellow care center resident with a surprisingly effective effec-tive right hook - he rallies. If Dad were the Titanic he would have taken on water after he hit that iceberg, but somehow he still would have managed to limp into port. Smiling sweetly, knot by waterlogged water-logged knot. This time, however, the iceberg is going to win. Experts at the care center report that they've seen this scenario before, and the outcome is always the same. They give him a week or so, which should give me just enough time to make the 700-mile trip to see him and say . . . What? What do you say at such a time? "I love you, Dad." Well, of course. That's a given. "You've made a profound difference in my life." Certainly. "We're all going to miss you." Absolutely. "Thank you." Yes - for a thousand different things. Even though I don't know how much he'll hear or understand, I plan to tell him all those things and more. But there's one thing I won't say to him when I see him this Easter weekend. ESPECIALLY on Easter weekend. week-end. I won't tell him "good-bye." Sure, I understand that I won't see him again after this visit. And I'm aware of what a wonderful opportunity this is, relatively speaking. So often death comes suddenly, without any warning or time to prepare. How many people would give anything for the chance to say a final "good-bye" to a loved one? Believe me, this is not something some-thing I'm considering lightly. It's literally a matter of life and death - I know that. But if there's,' anything any-thing that being raised, loved, nurtured and instructed by this good man has taught me, it's this: life goes on. And not just in the Lennon-McCartney Lennon-McCartney "oblahdee-oblahdah" sense, although Dad was a big believer in the Doctrine of Moving On. It's what saw him through a promising athletic career that was thwarted by the Great Depression, Depres-sion, and through two years of separation from his wife and five children during World War II, and through decades of business disappointments, dis-appointments, financial struggles and family frustrations. His positive, posi-tive, forward-looking nature wouldn't allow him to dwell on past pains and failures. He was all about the next opportunity, the next big challenge, the next great adventure. But more than just moving on with mortality, Dad believed that because of great and wondrous events that occurred on the first Easter some 2,000 years ago, life truly does go on, that death is not an end, and that families are forever. for-ever. These beliefs - deeply held and intimately cherished -brought meaning and purpose to his life, just as they bring faith, hope, confidence and security to his death. And that's why I won't say a final "good-bye" to Dad when I leave him this weekend. It would be inappropriate because neither he nor I believes that it IS a final "good-bye." Instead, I'll probably just say the same thing I always say when I leave him: "I'll see you later, Dad." Because I will. I know I will. Especially at Easter. Many thanks to the readers who have submitted ideas, questions ques-tions and feedback as a result of this column. We've also heard from some readers who want to get involved and have subsequently joined the Pleasant Grove Business Busi-ness Alliance. For those who may not be aware, membership in the Business Busi-ness Alliance is free to all Pleasant Grove residents and business license holders. It's a great way to stay informed and get acquainted with a lot of other people who share an interest in Pleasant Grove's economic development. Members of the Alliance receive a monthly newsletter and weekly updates via e-mail as well as educational edu-cational presentations at quarterly quarter-ly membership meetings. This morning there is an ideal opportunity to get further involved - the next membership meeting at the Water Gardens Theaters. The gathering kicks off at 8 a.m. with a complimentary continental conti-nental breakfast and networking time. That will be followed by a quick CityPGBA update. At 9 a.m. our keynote speaker will be Fred Ball, well known KSL radio and Zions Bank personality. Following Ball's remarks, we will conduct an open discussion and feedback session on Pleasant Grove's Economic Development Plan Update. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to hear details about Pleasant Grove economic development strategy, ask questions ques-tions and offer suggestions as the plan is updated for the remainder of 2004. The final presentation of the morning will be from special guest Dave Newbold, president of Richter 7 Communications. Richter 7 is the award-winning marketingpublic relations firm behind the highly successful BYU sports marketing program. You've seen the clever billboards, bill-boards, newspaper ads and TV spots? Now the genius behind the program will show a multi-media Reader's Forum on marketing in attendant questions from the OO nOW Vnn V,. tunity to get involv P Rove's Economic f Program. You can meeting to observe i, ed citizen or youcan:) both feet and net 1 ' drop. ur'.t Again the cost is fc."" need to make an a(W tiontohelpuswithth, Brul and name badges T,w "9 atpgbuSinessafHan5::ibann 608-1557 and give us ti; those wholl be attends We look forward tetU this morning! Paul Blanchard sen- nomic Development'' tantVDirector to Vk3i-.vcinS City. Inquiries conce';taineC city's economic devek-by W gram can be sent to t-sr 60 City Hall, by phone af3' or via e-mail at pt They liancemsn.com c'abam' ates. I jme t. "rade. Mean me fo: inhat' It's time to fight back Editor: In the name of "separation "sepa-ration of Church and State" we've had the Ten Commandments monument monu-ment removed from the State Judicial Building in Alabama and Judge Roy Moore suspended because of his objection to the removal. We've had the Ten Commandments removed from public property in about eight Utah cities. Presently the ACLU is trying to do the same thing in Pleasant Grove and Duchesne. Actually it is not really real-ly a question of freedom of religion or separation of church and state because: No one needs to nor is required to believe them. No one has to obey them nor pay homage to them. No one is required to financially support them. The real problem is freedom of speech. Because some people don't want to see or hear them, therefore the rest of us are not permitted to display them. The fact is if people want to speak and write filth, the courts have upheld the right to do it even to the extent of forcing New York to spend public money to display the elephant ele-phant dung on Mary's face. But if we want to say or display something uplifting or spiritual, we are not permitted to express it. Our right of freedom of speech is being systematically systemat-ically destroyed and we need to fight back. The right of freedom of speech needs to be included in uckK this battle ov;:'sevei commandment His 1 Robert i:vega effort out of S;: The spread the dk.ah' T ten commaiii::;ate ' great wayfor;-;ists' 1 uallytocam--'then: agree with hney 1 not me, their now, then whef " Anvone it join us and sign may com-' Anderson by ;.: 435-656-245;. ; dixierepubhcei )re om or Howl- tn bv phone at -!rs 1! ' - Howard Eree f id, th ire 1 in the -re the: Throi il moi lo AMERICAN FORK The American Fork Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly meeting and luncheon at noon on April 8 at Quality Inn and Suites, 712 S. Utah Valley Drive, American Fork (behind Wal-Mart). The speaker speak-er is Dell DowDell, owner of Purple Crown Financial LLC. His topic is "What you don't know can cost you big' bucks - proper tax strategies and entity formation." The cost is $10 per person. CEDAR FORT The Cedar Fort Town Council will meet on Tuesday, April 1 3, at 7 p.m. at the fire station, 155 N. Church Street, for monthly Town Council meeting. They will decide which council member will serve on the newly-created Water Advisory Board. They will also consider updating up-dating the water shut-off policy. CEDAR HILLS Cedar Ridge Elementary School invites the public to their production of the musical, "Bubba, the Cowboy Prince." The play is free and will be held April 22 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. audito-rium. CEDAR HILLS Any new or future students of Cedar Ridge Elementary for the 2004-2005 school year can register in the main office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EAGLE MTN. The Sports Board announces Soccer Camp for three year olds. Registration will be held at Nolan Park on April 17, at 10:45 a.m. The cost is $20. The camp includes three sessions: April 17, April 24, May 1. ParentsGuardians must be present at registration and attend all three sessions with their child. Each child will receive a shirt, certificate and a medal. Parents will receive a certificate as well. The phone number num-ber for more information on the pro gram is 636-3620. EAGLE MTN. The Eagle Mountain City Fire Fighters Auxiliary will be providing an Easter Egg Hunt for Eagle Mtn. residents at Nolan Park (formerly Redhawk Ranch Park), located at approximately Peregrine and Spar-rowhawk Spar-rowhawk roads in the Ranches, on Saturday, April 10, at 9 a.m. HIGHLAND The Highland Tree Commission is offering two free classes at the Highland City building. The first will be, 'The Selection, Planting and Care of Trees" to be held on April 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. and taught by master mas-ter gardener, Trixie Walker. She will show how trees like those purchased pur-chased at the upcoming Arbor Day tree sale are to be treated for best results. "Properly planted trees have twice the survival rate and live twice as long," Walker said. The next class will be taught by Jay Roundy, landscape architect, on April 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. This class is entitled, "Design and Plant Selection Selec-tion of trees in Highland." Participants Partici-pants who come prepared with a drawing of their yard will be given personal assistance with tree placement. place-ment. HIGHLAND The Highland Tree Commission has scheduled this year's tree planting plant-ing project for Saturday, May 1 Two areas are slated for planting. Twenty-seven maple honey locust and maple trees will be planted on the east side of the Alpine Highway north from 9830 North to the pump house by Mystic Cove. Planting will start at 9 a.m. In addition eight crab apple, spruce and maple trees will be planted on the south side of 1 1 000 N going west from 5600 West It will begin at 10 a.m. This will complete com-plete the line of trees from previous year s projects there. Volunteers are needed to help in both areas. Call u nun Trixie Walker at 756-C12.'t inpu information or to volunfe" nts ai LEHI 2 proj, The Lehi Area Char.:; U also merce, Lehi City ando:;)e,siz pating businesses are ''! of , Easter egg hunt on Sheets 10, at 9 a.m. sharpandat: 500 N. Center Street .iUncil. hunt is for kids ages or: The c a special area for the riding There will be six graK: bad. bikes plus many other F'els will also be manyca prize eggs, over 9,000 th guest, the Easter Bdenl present to visit with the c-Jes SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga spnny annual easier egg-.u-Ab Springs Elementary 1700 West, Lehi, in ft t gt back of the school, Sa- J 10, at 10 a.m. ims j. SARATOGA SPRINGS .go1? Saratoga ;pni indent in-dent Mandy Johnson ....lion civics events cons.- rary cil approved of Jn"fv.tgro; ovniinn - Lvnette nJ- m- , Ten intj puoi'"" ,r,i"e ..i,.Dr hasis. John:. ilt : paid $750 a month. Jblem mum of $9,000 a y -.Th, ... , i- nrnan-ll.. would inciuae , uy such as, the Easiei ing fl mer Splash and Then- the g ly hestivai the lotion j ::n mc -m otl trow ;aiiels ie a Sled fcnasi , "mas SARATOGA SPRING aght CnrinQS C' oflo wi Saratoga , - planning comn-'r ;; -T. ... a in his re" Moore lunicu ... the March 30 CW- and will be leavn's; F North uaronnc well as ouy wiiestc Commission memo ed the meeting. St gld N 2 p.m. working with him - missed. |