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Show (SEfQ11lii13D13G Free Press - Wednesday, February 2, 1994 - Page 4 Editorial The right and wrong way to complain fit Duly Plsine Esteem Team leads the way Forget the stereotype ofthe teenage rebel without a cause, a cigarette dangling from his lips and foot pushing the gas pedal of his car to the floor. Pleasant Grove High School's esteem team is giving the State of Utah a good example of what teens WITH a cause can do and putting to shame the adults who should be setting the example. The Esteem Team is a large group of high school students who work to eliminate drugs, alcohol and tobacco from the high school environment, from other schools in the area, and from the community. They are representative of a growing movement among high schools that encourages a group of students to dedicate themselves to generating a positive atmosphere and good - among their peers. Pleasant Grove's growing group of Esteem Team members, however, have to eliminate adopted a higher goal environmental tobacco smoke from all self-estee-m - public places. In addition to several letters to the editor and some informational meetings about the dangers of second-hansmoke, the team has embraced House Bill 50, legislation pending in Utah's House of Representatives designed to ban smoking from all public places except taverns, private clubs and rooms d for lodging. And their support is more than just lip service. For example, last week hundreds of high school students representing 24 Utah high schools rallied to the State Capitol to generate support for HB 50. Leading the group was Pleasant Grove High's Esteem Team. In speaking at the rally, Esteem Team president Lori Bowen expressed the view of all the high school seniors at the rally when she said: "It is time that Utah's youth stand up and let legislators, parents and their communities know how they feel about being exposed to tobacco smoke." The students made telephone calls and wrote letters to lawmakers supporting the legislation. They urged their parents to make the same types of calls and write the same types of letters. They collected signatures of students and displayed them at the rally. They received words of support from Gov. Mike Leavitt, HB 50 sponsor Jordan Tanner and Utah Attorney General Jan Graham. And they made a stand against a pernicious element in our society which like-mind- strikes particularly hard atyoungchil-dre- n - those most susceptible to harm from the effects of second-han- d tobacco smoke. How the Utah legislature will act on HB 50 remains to be seen. But hundreds of Utah high school seniors have taken a stand that is neither rebellious or pointless and they are learning to work with the system to effect change in the process. The members of Pleasant Grove High School's Esteem Team, and team faculty advisor Joan Smith, are to be commended for taking the lead in this important issue, and for demonstrating the value of positive teen involvement in our communities. - You can get more vital things than wealth I often think of the word riches. Just """ what does it mean? To some it would mean possession of worldly goods, arid toothers the accumula- E?ofJwsini This man was probably considered fairly in those days. So the accumulation of wealth can be a source of worry. So, why worry? From Dear Abby's column I gleaned this bit of wisdom. "There are only two things to worry about: "Either you are well or you are sick. "If you are well, there's nothing to worry about. "But if you are sick, there are only two things to worry about. "Either you get well, or you die. "If you get well, there's nothing to worry about. "But if you die, there are only two things to worry about: "Either you will go to heaven or hell. "If you go to heaven, there's nothing to worry about. "But if you go to hell, youll be so busy shaking hands with friends you won't have well-to-d- o to our congressional representatives in Washington, but I haven't followed through on my ideas yet. (That sounds like a good resolution for 1994, doesn't it?) Actively participating in life, not just letting things happen to us along the way, doesn't even take th at much initiative. And there are plenty of issues and situations right in our own community that are worth our time and efforts. How many of you have been to a meeting of the city council, for example? Election results from last November seem to indicate that a good portion of citizens wanted to see some changes in our local government. Do you know how they are doing? Are they voting according to your feelings as their constituents? I've noticed some new faces at the council meetings that have been held so far this year. Maybe they have come out of sheer curiosity, but I think they are probably glad they've seen the council in action. One of my friends said attending these "Do you know what's wrong with the world today?" Big John looked at me over the top of the newspaper. I hesitated as he took a pull from his 128 ounce Superdooper Sloppy Slurper, and hejumped at his chance. "No, Haddock. I don't think you do. So 111 just tell you." Okay, I said. I could tell the Big Guy was in an ugly mood and I didn't want to press my luck. "There's no sense of historical or culture perspective," he said with a vehemence that surprised me. "And you don't have any Yeah, so what. "Well, how in Utah can you name anything Mountain Meadows." Well, Isaid. It has afamiliarring, Imust admit. But it seems harmless, even pleasant. "Harmless? Hogwash! Think, my friend. Think." About what? I asked. But I could tell Big John was getting frustrated. "About MASSACRE!!!" he shouted. "Don't you remember something about Mountain Meadows and a massacre?" And it all flooded back. The painful episode in our state's history where a group of Mormons (who really knows how many) and Indians slaughtered some 120 emigrants whohad the misfortune of traveling through the southern part of the state during th days of the Utah War. Finally, John D. Lee was charged with suppos- edly-omniscient By TOM GRIFFITHS f time to worry." But, of course, none of you are going to hell. You are too good for that. I was one of those lucky people who came from parents who were not wealthy. They didn't leave us anything in worldly wealth, but a fortune in exemplary living. Our mother left us the memory of a kindly spirit who had a love of all mankind. She taught us there is actually no rich or poor Justhuman beings treadingthisearthly soil and worthy of every kind word we can give them. And our father? There were no framed diplomas on the walls of our home showing graduation from schools of learning. In fact, I couldn't verify he attended any school, but he must have done for he knew the three R's quite well. But his wisdom was wealth indeed. He taught us that work gave a man pride and dignity, that laziness was a violation of God's laws, that to believe in God and walk uprightly before one's fellow men enriched your life. He left no written will, but he left some unwritten things that are more precious than gold. non-Morm- Editor: This is addressed to all the telephone users in the north and south part of Utah area, County, outside of the who would like to have free county-wid- e phone service as do the subscribers in the Provo-Orearea. I have written to U.S. West about the situation and was referred to the Public Service Commission. Upon accessing the PSC we were informed that the first step is to get it approved by our State Legislators. Provo-Ore- m m trial-and-err- or Camel trains, sailing ships and Conestoga wagons had to find their own way east to west around the uncharted earth, not really knowing where they were going. We can now see where we are going: This is not an untraveled road. The recent explosion ofknowledge was so noisy and so sudden that it left us momentarily dumbstruck. Now, just years away from a new century, we are able to look left and right and ahead. The various stages of intellectual, technological and social evolution are being demonstrated before our eyes. The 12 industrial nations of Europe are stewing in their own juices. E urope poured billions into unem ploy- - A " co-o-ps mil - - govern- - cradle-to-grav- The city also has other government groups that meet, such as the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Board of Adjustments. Each one of these groups publishes their agenda in this newspaper, so that the public can be informed about their actions. We also have some civic groups that work very hard to bring programs that enhance our quality of life. In many cases, they may not know the feelings of the citizens they try to help through their activities. The Lehi Arts Council is a great example of one of these committees. Its director is passionate about the arts, and would like to see more arts programs of all types, to fill the needs of as many citizens as possible. But she cannot do her job without suggestions, without assistance and without support of the community. Anyone who has seen the theater productions, for example, will know that plays Editor's By MARC HADDOCK the crime, and, almost 20 years after the massacre, he was executed at Mountain Meadows. The reasons behind the tragedy and other issues are quite complex, but the Mountain Meadow Massacre has been a stain on Utah's history for the past 137 years. Big John could see the light of recognition in my eyes, watched as the fog cleared and then fixed me with a stare. "Exactly," he said. "How could some developer come in here and name a subdivision after one of the most shameful inci- dents in Utah's history?" Well, I responded, maybe they don't know. Or maybe they think people will have for- gotten. "Exactly," Big John said, "No sense of historical or cultural perspective. Just like I said." Well, what do you expect me to do. "Write about it. Create a sense of outrage. Get the name changed. After all, aren't you a member of the press?" Yeah. But who is going to listen? "Oh, it's easy. Just make them listen. Suggest some other names that might be appropriate. Say, "Haun's Mill Manor' or "Hoffman's Haven." Wouldn't that be tasteless? "Of course. But it might get people to listen." Maybe. "How about suggesting names for the streets of the proposed subdivision." Such as? "Oh, this is easy. Bundy Boulevard.' 'Lafferty Lane,' Dream Mine Circle,' 'Gary GillmoreStreet'orthe'Aurthur Gary Bishop Byway." Now wait a minute. That's offensive. "Not now, Haddock. I'm on a roll. You could make the subdivision a kind of monument to all the embarrassing or painful incidents in Utah's history. Or even spread it out to include the nation. "Why, you could have "Manson Way' or 'Zodiac Circle.' The list goes on and on." Yeah, but no one would want to live there, would they? "Not if they have any sense." On the other hand, who wants to say they come from "Mountain Meadows." fou know, for a newspaper guy you catch on pretty fast slow for anybody else, but fast for a newspaper guy." Gee, thanks. "Why don't you propose some 'naming commission' to make sure this kind of thing doesn't really happen." Oh, yeah, that's all we need. Another layer of government. Why don't we just try to educate the people. Doesn't that make more sense? "Sure. But then, that's your job, too, isn't it? - Utah County is growing so rapidly that surely we should be allowed the same privileges as they have in Salt Lake County. PSC did not act as if getting the service would be an impossible thing if enough people speak up so that it will be given some attention. Please contact your state senator and representative either by phone or letter and please let us do it now so that they might get it on their agenda. We were advised that, as we speak or write to our legislators we should address our topic as "Community of SerInterest, to be defined as County-wid- e vice." I'm quite sure that this is so we will all be addressing the same topic. Let us each take the responsibility of contacting our legislators so that we may enjoy the privilege of being able to call Let's see if we can get it on the county-widagenda for this year rather than having it tabled indefinitely. Thank you. -- Ruby N. Riggs Pleasant Grove e. Seeking information on Utah Castro still despises capitalism and insists he will always be a communist, but he is having to legalize private businesses, turn thousands of state farms I into ; and seek foreign investment. Castro calls it "a temporary step back1 ward from socialism." What it is, is yet another public confession that communism is a great idea 1994 Paul Harvey except that it doesn't work. We witnessed the bankruptcy of soProducts Inc. cialism in East Germany. Now all Russia, broke and bleeding, is going begging. It does not take a Mensa mentality to ment benefits, disability benefits, health see, in Europe and Cuba and Russia, and retirement benefits. They drained OUR OWN FUTURE if we imagine that by whatever the well. Europe is broke and is having to caretaker government is affordable. name from off shrink public welfare and back We ha ve a chance from right where we socialism. sit to see Canada's misadventure in Europe should be a very useful exits health care ample to us, lest we start moving farther ment-guaranteed in the opposite direction. implementation, its effects and its ree sults. Socialist Cuba tried providing This is not an untraveled road. services. Now Cuba, running on Yet, like a stubborn motorist, we are empty, has, workers paying taxes again, to seek directions from those schoofor unwilling patients paying surgery again, who have already traveled it. lchildren paying for textbooks. ixiff9P??T7f council meetings has been very interesting, and it sounds like she will be back for more. Personally, I think that every neighborhood or cluster of neighborhoods ought to have someone attend the meetings to see what decisions are made at council meetings. In an organized group, a different representative could attend each time, so that one person would not have to bear the responsibility alone. Telephone rates should be county - wide This is not an untraveled road In every time machine in history, the only thing that worked was the rearview mirror: hindsight. For the first time ever, we have a clear view of the road ahead: foresight. By and large, the tendency of human history has required discovery and development. By RUSS DALY such as "Oklahoma," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and "Into the Woods" have been incredible experiences that rival those of other communities. How about the work that has been done by the Lehi Historical Preservation Commission? They are a group of unsung heroes who are trying to identify sites and buildings in town that capture the history of our community and its people. They write proposals for grants, they conduct research, and they never stop trying to help each one of us understand our rich heritage. If history is important to you, and more important to your children, let them know how they're doing and what you would like to see them do in the future. The Lehi Chamber of Commerce, too, is interested in promoting the community, not only in the business world, but to all aspects of life. As a member of both the Chamber and the Historical Commission, Carl Mellor has promoted tours of Lehi and the surrounding area. The Chamber of Commerce will now be providing copies of his booklet to fourth grade classes in the elementary schools in Lehi. The Hutchings Museum is a part of that tour system, and should be a vital part of every citizen's life. How long has it been since you've been to the museum? If you can't remember, then it is time to go back and see an opportunity that is right in your own back yard. I guess this sounds like a complaint, when all it should be is a gentle nudge to get out and become involved in life, especially the life we enjoy in our particular community. One person can make a difference, and the time is now to make that difference happen. Is this subdivision name politically correct? tain Meadows? translate it for her. ing. d, either." Oh yeah? How so. "Well, looky right here." He pulled out the legal notices. "Did you see where they are going to name this subdivision 'Moun- tion of knowledge. And it could mean many other things to different people. For example, some time ago I received a request from a friend who had uncovered a will that originated over 100 years ago and was written in the Welsh language. She asked me to translate it for her. So, with my limited knowledge of the language and the help of a Welsh dictionary, I was able to The man who made the will was a farmer and judging by today's standards, he was not very wealthy. This is what he left. Five buwch (cows) and a supply of gwiar (hay). He also left 11 dafod (sheep). He left a ffwrn (stove) and an oaken bwrdd (table) with four (cadairs) chairs. There were a few other things that were not worth mention- Some people never complain and some people always complain. I believe there is a third group: those that complain to the wrong people. Besides the problem of misdirected gripes, there's also the "complaints without works is dead" problem. Like they say, "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." I received a letter from a company I patronize, asking me to send postcards to my state representatives opposing legislation currently being discussed. This company had even furnished stamped cards for me to simply drop in the mail. I put it off for a while, but finally decided that my view was important an d that I needed to share it with those who would be making the decision. I've thought about doing the same thing Editor: I'm writing about the great state of Utah in report for school. I am 10 years old and I live in California. I would appreciate your help in getting ping of it if you can? I would like to know why it is so terrific living in Utah. I picked the state because I like the history. information, pictures maps, letters, recipes, etc. from your local residents. Would you please publish my letter in your local newspaper and send me a clip Varner co Lisa Austin's 5th class Carl Hankey Elementary School 27252 Nubles Street Mission Viejo, Calif. Policy on letters to the editor We welcome letters to the editor. All letters should be typewritten and double spaced. Letters must also be signed, and must include the writer's name and telephone number. Please send letters to Editor, Newtah News Group, P.O. Box 7, American Fork, Utah, 84003. 1 92692-343- 5 |