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Show QtfflM)(BG1fi Free Press - Wednesday, February 23, 1994 - Page 4 Some of that graffiti shows creativity Editorial Former publisher earns Hall of Fame honors North Utah County has a tremen- Grove, American Fork or Lehi, or a dous newspaper heritage datingback combination of these towns. to before the turn of the century. Members of this organization inMany Utah communities share this clude figures in Utah's heritage, and maoy preserve it history, as well as more obscure indithrough community weekly newspa- viduals who operated on a smaller pers like this one - almost 50 weekly arena, but with great impact in their newspapers in all. sphere of influence. But this week, when the Utah They are all honored in a special Press Association, which represents display in the Utah State Capitol a most of these community newspa- display which is viewed by thoupers, and a few of the daily papers as sands of school children each year as well, meets for its annual conventhey take a field trip to the capitol tion, it will honor a north Utah building, and by hundreds of others County newspaperman for his con- who visit the State Capitol on busitribution to the state when E. Russell ness of one kind or another. Innes is installed in the Utah NewsEach has made a significant conHall of Fame. tribution to the state through their paper Mr. Innes published theLehiFree journalistic efforts demonstrating Press starting in 1946 (he became that the press, in its various forms, sole owner in 1948) - and continued has the power to shape and mold our to publish this newspaper for the society, and that, when used propnext 32 years. He bought the com- erly, it can shape it for the better. The Utah Newspaper Hall of Fame peting Lehi Sun in 1949 and merged the two publications. In 1963 he is filled with individuals who have bought the American Fork Citizen made a difference by usingthe power and published both newspapers un- of the press for the better, and E. til he retired in 1978. Russell Innes, former publisher of In the process he left behind a rich the Lehi Free Press and the Amerilegacy of community journalism and can Fork Citizen certainly earned this honor with decades of dedicated community service. Forty-seveservice to these north Utah County journalists have preto this honor, among communities. ceded Innes We honor him with his inclusion them Arthur F. Gaisford, A.B. (Abe) Gibson and James M. Kirkham, all in the Newspaper Hall of Fame, and of whom were associated with com- at the same time are honored by munity newspapers in Pleasant him. well-know- n n World's problems are caused by the adults, not the children BVOWSing Tuesday, February 8. It's snowing, a day to stay home and relax, and maybe write a little. Last evening, my grandson, age 14, came to see us and to borrow a pair of swimming trunks, if wehad such athing. Heexplained that his younger brother had borrowed his and he wanted to go swimming at the city recreation place. It was a pleasure to have this boy visit us. He left us with good feelings. So today as the snow turns the world to white, I thought about boys. When I was a boy in my native Wales I thought of the boys who were my best friends. All of their families but one belonged to different churches. The exception was Scrummy Chislet's folks. They didn't belong to any church. Dai Dent was a Baptist. Ydris James was a Presbyterian. Dafydd Jones was a Catholic and Ivan Morgan'sfamily belonged to the Church of Wales. And last but not least was Ian Thomas who claimed the Salvation Army. Ian was learning to beat the drum in the band. We boys played together. We roamed the hills and loved the birds and the trees. We left religion to the grownups and look what they have done, with it. Take our little town as an example. We hadn't lived there very long when as Mormons we were picked on. A man named Myrddin Evans, who was a Deacon in one of the churches, wrote an article in our local newspaper condemning the Mormons. He proudly stated that he knew for a fact that 13 girls had been kidnapped by the Mormons and taken to the walled city of Salt Lake and never heard from again. He recommended the Mormons, our family, be driven out of town. I don't want to picture my father as a hero, yet to me he will always be a hero neighbecause he was honest, a bor and a wonderful family man, and yet an adult with a warped mind wanted to hurt good-like- d .A j By TOM GRIFFITHS f him. Isn't it strange that one man with a story that was ridiculous should have so many followers? The answer can be found in history. The world's problems were not caused by boys and girls but by adults. There was a case in the Roman Empire when the River Tiber overflowed from natural causes, but one of those brainy adults said it was caused by the Christians. As stupid as it was, many believed him, which resulted in increased persecution of the Christians. Time has not relieved us of a man named Hitler who brought death to many millions of innocent Jews. None of us can erase from our minds the story of Jesus Christ. Here was a man who dedicated his life to doing good for his fellowmen. Yet men who were actually leaders in their church crucified him. When can we expect peace in this old word? I say never, not as long as we have men with crazy ideas who rise up, and there are many people with warped minds who are willing to follow them. Leaving a legacy has taken some interesting forms throughout the years. When one drives through American Fork Canyon, or any area where trees abound, one can see the remains of some youthful desire to etch one's initials into a lasting memorial to love. Of course, plain initials eventually gave way to more decorative pursuits, demonstrated by the hearts and arrows that became part of many of the creations. In our travels, I have also seen similar markings painted on rocks or mountain sides, more or less permanently taking their place among the natural beauty ofthe area. Although I am quite offended by the idea of destruction of pristine landscape, at the same time I am sometimes amazed how the artisans made their way to the area to be decorated. One example is the Virgin River Gorge southwest of St. George. How have these perpetrators scaledthe canyon walls to leave their markings for posterity? During a recent outing that took us past the Great Salt Lake, we noticed scores of places along the boggy barrow pit off the road where groups of people had painstakingly placed rocks into various shapes. Most of the rock art simply contained initials, like those that are typically carved in trees, but some spelled out pithy, or possibly obscene sayings, but each one a tribute to someone's individual creativity. Again I was amazed about the efforts expended by the designers in providing works burned or otherwise perished, or are they still they for their posterity to appreci- ate. By RUSS DALY Worse yet, what if the objects of their affections changed, and K.L. is no longer with C.H.? Could "Yours Forever" only meant for high school? You may have noticed that nature is not the only medium, nor is love the only topic for these artists. Graffiti has been known to cause costly damage, and might even be linked with potentially dangerous situations. But some might be considered harmless, amusing overly-demonstrati- these additions to the landscape, in this case a addition that could be harmless except for the danger to drivers who attempt to read the markings. This time, I was also intrigued by the signs, which included the hippie peace signs of the 60s. Either there are some old graffiti artists roaming about, or they've passed on non-defaci- their legacy. I also wondered who in their right mind would not only drive or walk out into the salty swamp to "do their thing" but would also take the time to gather up enough rocks to spell out their message. They could have, of course, brought their own rocks from home, in which case what might have been a spontaneous gesture would have turned into more of a crusade. I wonder how many writers of these youthful expressions have returned to the scene of their act to see if their words have withstood the test of time. Have they returned to the woods to see their monuments forged into trees that are now grown? Have the receptacles of their observations. An anecdote in Reader's Digest said that some graffiti artist had penned, "Be alert!" to which a humorist added, "Colorado needs more lerts!" One of my favorite examples is on an overpass structure on Interstate 495, the Capital Beltway around Washington, D.C. As one nears the location of the LDS temple, not visible until one drives around a turn and up a little rise in the highway, one reads, "Surrender, Dorothy!" Although probably painted during the construction of the building, no one had bothered to remove the witty remark even years after completion of the temple. Positive artwork can also be seen on the otherwise boring sides of buildings in the larger cities. With the proper approval, such artwork is to be commended, and is worthy of appreciation by members of the community involved. Utah could probably use more lerts, too. Payment plan is extortion by children In New York and other large cities, some folks are trying to make a living by forcing their services on others usually in the form of window-washin- g work which has not been contracted, but for which payment is demanded. It works like this. A driver pulls up to a red light, where he or she must wait until the light turns green . While stopped, a man approaches the car, sprays the windshield with water and then squeegees the windshield clean, and then - demands payment. Since most of the people conducting this business are down and out, some of the advocates of the homeless have applauded the efforts of these people to earn a living by providing a service. The basic problem is that this type of service bypasses some of the important steps ofour economic system. Since participation in the service is involuntary, it bypasses the laws of supply and demand. Also, often, payment is requested in a threatening fashion - reducing the enterprise to extortion and nothing more. It is private enterprise at its worst. Now we have an example of this same kind of thinking at work in Utah Valley, but the individuals expected to carry out the extortion are children. Is that a low blow, or what. I was reluctant to tackle this issue, because the business involved is a competing newspaper of sorts. But sometimes events demand comment, even when it might look like carping about a competitor. Here goes: The Utah County Journal is a competing newspaper printed in Orem that comes out two or three times a week, depending on the current mood of the publisher. The paper is what is commonly called a home has asked for? Doesn't the very act change what the kids will learn from their paper routes? Won't they be learning they can make money just like the windshield washers of the New York streets? A Only instead of threats and physical t presence, the compensation will be requested by youngsters - sometimes as young as 7 or 8 years old, who don't really understand the audacity of what they are asking. By MARC HADDOCK I think it is shameful. Oldham's letter tells readers, "The Jourwould like to reward those carriers who because nal is the in it business, "shopper" delivered at no charge. And although the perform their duties beyond expectations . Journal did run a subscription program for . . Beginning this month, Journal carriers a while, asking readers to pay a voluntary will call on those they serve and request a subscription fee even though they would be voluntary payment of $2. Our carriers and their supervisors will keep a majority of the getting the paper anyway, the Orem publiAll of the money cation has always been a "shopper." money they collect But in its most recent issue, it revealed, collected will go to reward the carriers and by way of a letter to the readers from pay for distribution costs. This new collection system provides a good the Mark that Journal Oldham, publisher was going to send its paper carriers opportunity for the Journal carriers." Am I the only one who sees the inconsissoliciting $2 a month for the paper from homes that have not asked for the tencies here? This is akin to an employer telling his or service in the first place. It will be tough to resist. Most of the her employees, "We want to give you a pay Journal carriers are young children work- raise, so please go and ask your customers ing on their first job. Paper routes are for money for a product they aren't expected valuable to these kids. We know. We have to pay for. We are so happy to be able to around 150 newspaper routes ourselves recognizeyour continuing excellence in this most of our papers delivered by young fashion." boys and girls on their first job. Two of them Actually, this is nothing more than the are my kids. I appreciate what they learn Journal's oid voluntary subscription plan with the kids as the in new clothes through their paper routes. Paper routes are also valuable to the collectors. The subscription costs $24 a newspaper, because these youngsters are year. And youll get the Journal whether the link between us and our readers. Withyou pay for it or not. out them, you wouldn't be reading this For anyone out there who thinks this is a today. great idea and they would like to get in the But isn't it cruel to send these same rush to collect, I have a great plan for children requesting $2 a month envelope stuffing that is guaranteed to for delivery of a newspaper nobody at the double your annual income. Trust me. The Editor's Column ... money-earnin- g door-to-do- door-to-do- tO liS GdSi&OE' Senate should support anti - smoking bill D.GttftGE'S Editor: I would like to advise the people ofNorth Utah County that House Bill 50, which restricts smoking in public places like restaurants, hotels, etc., is before the Utah Senate. The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Tanner of Provo and Sen. Montgomery of Ogden, restricts smoking based on the dansmoke to innocent pargers of second-han- d ties. The House of Representatives passed the bill without any amendments or changes. The bill should pass the Senate in the exactform that itcame from theHouse. The and other legislators know now they feel problem presently is there are some senators who are saying they are going to vote about this issue by demonstrating at the against the bill because of the problems it Capitol. I also have received over 100 letters from high school students in American Fork might have for business. and Pleasant Grove. The kids know the Utah is not the first to enact such legislation. Nationally, this type of legislation is dangers and they have gone out of their way to let us know their feelings. Our children occurring everywhere. Businesses have been concerned about understand this issue and fully support HB the restrictions as they relate to smokers, 50. Please let your Senator know how you but to their surprise, these changes have feel and that you would like HB 50 passed been accepted by smokers and without any changes. A similar bill was alike. introduced last year with the House passThere are more than 58,000 who die each year and these cancer ing it, but the Senate killed the bill. This is deaths have been attributed to the affect of a time for action. second-hanYour north Utah county senators are smoke. It is hoped that this and Howard kind of legislation will also offer motivation Craig A. Peterson, You can reach to the smoker to quit, since it is such a A. Stephenson, them at the Senate by calling health hazard and the worse health probFAX If possible, make your call lem we have as a nation. Leave there. die the smokers each that you support over message 1,000 Nationally, day from conditions attributed to cigarette HB 50 and your phone number. It would be wise to let senators from smoking. Some 40,000 will die this year (compared to 15 a day who die because of other parts of the state know your feelings, drug addiction and 22 a day who die of too. Lowell A Nelson alcohol addiction). Rep. District 57 Many high school students have let me rs rs d What does the United Nations think Pnul The United Nations has the potential itself to become a dictatorship. Namein the bowels less, faceless of that fortress on the East River are presuming to dictate military policy for member nations. France, Britain and other European nations are aghast at the degree to which the United Nations wants to send more reinforcements to Bosnia. France has no intention of putting any more French troops at the disposal of the "peaceUnited nations for this keeping" mission. Britain is talking about pulling out all together this spring. Certainly Britain commitwill not increase its 2,500-mament. The Dutch say they have more troops there ow than they can afford. Yet the United Nations wants 3,000 more to add to the present 30,000. So the United Nations is looking to to supply them. guess-wh- o What does the United Nations think it is? Our nation's former defense secretary, Dick Cheney, warns that the recommended NATO air strikes in Bosnia will policy-make- is? His year is up; he is returning home bitter and disappointed. rs n it eujs 1994 Paul Harvey Products Inc. Any air strikes, or any other escalation of our involvement in Bosnia would evidence that the United Nations is making foreign policy for us when it should be the other way around. Yet Because -- the Serbs have some artillery outside Sarajevo in Bosnia capable of lobbing shells into the city... The United Nations mobilized... Twelve F16-- fighter planes... attack fighters... Eight FA-1attack planes... Eight Twelve 0 Warthog attack planes-Seve- nty carrier planes... Four gunships... Ten Mirage fighter planes... Five l recon planes Sixteen Jaguar attack aircraft.. Eight Tornado fighter bombers... Six harriers... Eight Eighteen 6 fighter planes... In football, our side would be penalized for "piling on." Some future Gilbert and Sullivan will have our children laughing at us. C 8 backfire and that for the United States to bomb Bosnia would lead to a wider war in the Balkans. One of the leaders of the U.N. forces who understandably wants to remain nameless because he is a military official says he went over there to prevent warlords from looting food. He says that mission was inevitably destined to fail. Now that the original political and diplomatic mission has become a military one, he says victory would cost more than it's worth and would not rescue that destitute country anyway. - A-1- F-- F-1- 756-888- 576-102- Seeks 2. info on Utah Editor: We are doing state research reports in my fifth grade class and I will be reporting on Utah. The reports are due in May and cover topics such as famous people, economy, state food, climate and tourist attractions. The reason I am writing to your local paper is to ask if you could publish my letter in your paper. I am hoping some of your readers in your community would write to me and tell me about their experiences, traditions, and some history about their life in Utah. I live in southern California and I'm sure many things about Utah are different from where I live. Also, if any of the citizens find time to reply , it would be great if they would enclose a copy of my "published" letter.' I am ten years old and in the fifth grade. I have an aunt in Utah so that is why I am writing to Utah. Plus, I am Mormon and some people refer to Utah as "The Mormon State." I always go up to Utah and I think that it is very lovely. Thank you so much for taking your time for my request and any information would be appreciated. Stacy Anthony Cal Vista Elementary - Room: P-- 4 21811 Ave De Los Fundadadores Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. 92688 I' |