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Show Free Press - Wednesday, August 20, 1997 Page 4 The truth about 'Jay1 9 PG author hopes book will clear the air about his brother's death and the controversial book it spawned By TERESA CARLSON In March of 1971, a 17 year-olboy from Pleasant Grove committed suicide. The death of the prominent doctor's son shocked the town, devastated the family and, through a strange series of events, created a "cult" legend that exists to this day. Scott Barrett, a 36 year-olPleasant Grove resident, wants to set the story straight. He is the author of "A Place in the Sun: The d d Truth Behind Jay's Journal.' Barrett is also the younger brother of Alden Barrett, the young man who shot himself 26 years ago. Alden left behind a journal, which was used by the author of "Jay's Journal" as the basis of a book about a teenage boy who gets involved in occult activities. After "Jay's Journal" was published in 1978, rumors spread through the valley as people connected Alden to the "Jay" in "Jay's Journal." Barrett hopes to end these rumors and let Alden rest in peace. In his book, Barrett includes Alden's handwritten diary and poems, along with information about the day Alden died and interviews with Alden's family and friends. 0 Although the journal entries depict an intelligent boy battling chronic depression, there is no mention of involvement in Satanic cults. Barrett wants readers to get to know his brother based on what Alden wrote, not what was contained in "Jay's Journal." "Alden's diary contained 67 entries, none of which are occult related," says Barrett. Of those entries, only 21 were actually used in 'Jay's Journal,' which had a total of 212 entries. "Alden's contribution to 'Jay's Journal' calculates to a little less than ten percent of the entire work!" states Barrett. After Alden's death, says Barrett, his mother wanted to write a book based on Alden's life in an effort to have some good come from the tragedy of his death. She felt she could not write a book alone and answered an ad in a local paper placed by Dr. Beatrice Sparks. Dr. Sparks was looking for authentic teen journals for a book she was writing. Dr. Sparks took Alden's journal and made it into the critically acclaimed book "Jay's Journal." After the publication of "Jay's Journal," Alden's grave was frequently desecrated. Black and white candle wax was found at the grave site along with other occult paraphernalia. After a series of articles about the occult in Utah County appeared in The Daily Herald in 1985, Alden's headstone was actually stolen from the grave site and brought back sometime later. In Two Lehi women received citations for disorderly conduct after they became involved in an incident started by their young children. One child sprayed another with water and the victim threw a rock in retaliation. That's where things really got ugly. One woman admitted turning the hose on the other one's son (the rock thrower) after he called her an obscene name. When the boy's mother came out of her residence yelling, she turned the hose on her, too. Both were cited in the incident and encouraged to stay away from 1990, Barrett had finally had enough and decided it was time for the mad- ness to stop. "When I finally decided to write this book," writes Barrett in his book, "I only wanted to publish Alden's original journal. The deeper I dug, the more people I found that knew Alden as a gentle, confused, chivalrous human being. My conscience cried out for a more complete version of his life. Alden was a complex individual with many facets, some of which have yet to be realized." After talking with several publishing firms, Barrett decided that in order to be true to his brother and his words, he needed to publish the book himself Barrett is founder and president of Where We Sat Publishing, located in Lehi. Although "A Place in the Sun" is the company's first publication, Barrett is searching for other works by authors dealing with similar topics, such as teenage depression, suicide, drug abuse and cult abuse. The company's mission statement states that "through publishing true' works, whether fiction or we seek to open new possibilities and new paradigm." of helping families and individuals through rough times before, during and after crisis." Barrett hopes that families will read the book together. "That's what this is all about to help families." Barrett says he is haunted by the thought of what the victims of suicide could have accomplished if they had gotten help and chose a different non-fictio- 1 - Vi - ' ' A. V Scott Barrett shows the actual journal of his brother, Alden. Barrett hopes to show, with a book of his own, how little of Alden's writings actually were used in writing "Jay's Journal." solution to their problem. He states, "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." Local interest in the real story behind Jay's Journal has generated more than a book. A rock opera based on Alden's journal was recently composed by a local band called Grain. Growth Continued from front page the Lehi of her youth is gone "It went 10 years er," she said. forev- ago. I see absolutely no future for Lehi if this initiative is adopted." Dean Lott, originator of the petition to enact an ordinance to manage growth, cited figures that showed some of the growth that has taken place in recent years. Sunderland, however, refuted those figures and cited additional statis 0 Mini-horse- have the force necessary to break it. The newborns must be taught early to be led on a halter. As they continue to grow, the science of raising the animals not only consists of the regimented and feeding and exercise schedule, but also includes a detailed routine. Before each show, each horse will spend several days being cleaned, shampooed and clipped, a process which takes two or three hours and must be done three to seven days prior to the show in order for the horse's coat to grow back at a perfect length for judging. Depending on the division, judg m m ft ' ing criteria include the way the horse walks into the area, the way it stands, the way it performs and the confirmation, or presentation of the body. Performance judging also includes judging of the handler's ability. Last year at the AMHA Nationals in Fort Worth, one of the Woods' horses, Little R Delight First Lady, was named reserve national two year old filly, making her the second best in the nation. "It's really stiff competition," said Steve. "And you're competing against people who do this for a living." He credited Greg and Donna as being the "better handlers" in the family. The family and the horses competed in about 30 shows last year w c ft '"'f" " and won numerous awards. They recently returned from a regional show in Reno, Nev., which included more than 500 animals. Although Steve and Donna derive great satisfaction and please from' their work at Windy Woods, they also have other vocations. Donna taught fourth grade at American Heritage School in Pleasant Grove for 11 years and Steve owns and operates Raintite Roofing, which specializes in roofing for new construction. The miniature horses have been selectively bred in the United States from a toy horse line in Wales that was once used in mining operations. Despite their size, the horses are strong and can pull two adults for several hours. ss' i I - - r 'X v i rsi & fr 1T' I - . cluded, some people might challenge the ordinance in court, claiming that the figures are arbitrary and capricious. According to Burnett, voters in both Midway and St. George rejected such a proposal when it appeared on the ballots in those communities. "I think my record stands that I am for the landowner and their property," said Councilmember s Continued from front page vi!,wTj-afc- tics that showed that growth has slowed over a period of time. "We've almost stopped growth," he said after reading his figures. "Maybe our limits are too tight." Burnett told the council that the proposed ordinance did not say how the number of building permits it 147 in 1998, 152 in 199, suggests 156 for 2000 and 161 for 2001 was derived; on that basis, he con Robert Fox in objection to the premise of the initiative. "I think that's what our government is all about we have our rights." Councilmember Rod Olsen cited statistics saying that 68 percent of the growth along the Wasatch Front consists of children of present residents as opposed to people move-in"I can see us getting in a position of 'we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't," said Mayor Bill Gibbs in his objection to the initiative. "Some of the people that are pushing the initiative are the same ones who opposed the RDA and it cost the city $33,000 to defend. I thought you people had elected these councilmembers to make decisions." "What it all boils down to is this: You may not be right, I may not be right. But this is a free society," said Lott. "The people have a right to vote on this," said Richard Smith, another proponent of the initiative. . 11 Chris Cannon to hold town meeting in Lehi On 21, Aug. Thursday, Congressman Cannon will host a Lehi Town Meeting, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lehi City Library, 120 North Center Street. All Lehi residents are invited to participate in this discussion of current federal issues. open-foru- Because of tbe rigorous Congressional schedule, and the geographically large size of the 3rd District, this is a rare opportunity for the citizens of Lehi to share concerns their their with Washington Representative face to face. Now Showing in American Fork s. Business Insurance - Business Auto Contract BONDS (license, permits, notary Individual & Group Insurance Plans Package Policies 17 4? J etc.) (auto, homeowner, renters) North 470 West American Fork Wendi Dean Ferguson Agency Manager 763-131- 3 n BILLS? TOM hi mmtm u M u " "V? ri Aw O V ' each other. In a case of deia vu, not only because of the previous incident, but V nhi mQlOC hfh I ' f m Ib nn UUU1I1 nw,klnm knlurnnn Raaa.i. I. rt V UCICC1I turn WVaiUC Ul CIU "Lit inw.u, 1 i i m. iiuc iccis LiiaL li i c i ill i iiir niiinmpr v mnnnrr mr ineir other is trying to be malicious while the other thinks the first is trysuch action. ing to provoke .i . 1L..1 w i. . i i i i r l u.. mi i nt real nrnn pm in inp rpsi ni iiPHiinf wiwmi Liie&e lwu is LuaL I inllorl Q1 1 tf d i i"'i t a rocrvincc frnm thnritips Hisnfltrh spnt hvn V officers and a Utah Highway Patrol officer to the scene; the primary investigating officer noted in his report that the 911 usage was exaggerated and that both should have known better. A suspicious looking man heisted a case of cold cereal from a local business. Fortunately witnesses were able to provide police with a description of the suspect as well as the vehicle's license plate. Officers spotted a vehicle which did not have a rear license plate. The driver, a woman from Orem, did have, however, a $117 warrant from her home city. Officers impounded the vehicle and transported the woman to the Orem police station, where she was released upon presenting bail for the warrant. A tractor belonging to Lehi City sustained $10,000 in damages when a steel beam fell on it while it was at a job site. The company's insurance will cover the cost of repair. One Lehi woman reported the theft of a driver's license and 10 compact discs from her unlocked vehicle while it was parked at her home; another resident reported the theft of a cellular phon and a personal stereo. No suspects are available in either case. A vehicle belonging to an Orem couple was recovered in a local church parking lot. Two cigarette butts found in the vehicle were collected as evidence. Finally, we note the interest theft of a Caller ID box from a Lehi home. One wonders whether the box, a $60 value, or the telephone subscriber's list of callers was the objective of the unknown suspect. WWf ft'T'W llf If IKISW? 'M?lM can make up to $150 a week extra with just a few hours in the morning as a delivery person for the Daily Herald You S We understand that it's hard to make ends who has the free time to take a second job? meet sometimes, just the expenses A day-to-da- y of living can add up to more than what you make at your present job. But realistically ARE YOUR KIDS ALREADY IN Just a few hours in the morning and you can get some needed extra financial help. A ?v SCHOOL DAZE? BACK TO SCHOOL AT UNIVERSITY delivery job for the Daily Herald might help, MALL goo tuc mi I Y HERALD mm J qsx? toxfe |