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Show Free Press - Wednesday, March 4, 1 998 - Page 2 Opinion It's to see Congratulations, Pioneers! Lehi High School's fine athletes on the boys basketball team completed a nearly impossible task last Saturday night when they captured their third Utah 3A state title in three years. three-pea- t is so The difficult because it requires a consistent and continuing effort on the part of the school's athletes, its coaching staff, its administration and its fans in the midst of the normal turnover that occurs yearly in high schools. Saturday night's win over Emery High School was a tribute to all of those individuals, but especially to the young men who have dedicated their time and athletic talents to help put Lehi's name on the record books. At the same time, they have elevated the community along with them. Nor do these young men dedicate themselves solely to the art of dribbling, passing and shooting a basketball. Some of these same young men distinguished themselves on the football field earlier this year, and their names will be prominent throughout the spring sports season, as well. Included in the group are stu- - The dentbody officers and young men dedicated to their communities and their churches. All in all, they set a fine example. A note should also be made here that the Pioneers' counterparts, the girls basketball team, also had a great season, as they played their way to a sixth place finish in the state tournament which was held concurrently with the boys' tournament. On the way to sixth place, they upset two ranked teams after having to play an extra game just to qualify for tournament play. Of course, high school athletics are about more than winning. In addition to learning about physi- cal fitness and developing individual athletic prowess, these activities teach the value of teamwork and the benefits of hard work. It is clear from the success of the Lehi High boys basketball team that these values have been well taught. Congratulations to Coach Filimoehala and the entire Pioneer basketball program. Saturday night, we were all state champions. Thanks, Pioneers. scenario win-win-w- in Perhaps the art of compromise has been lost. At least that seems to be the case when it comes to the Manila Township, which is on another collision course with the courts as residents proceed with an annexation to Pleasant Grove. Wednesday night's meeting was full of discussion about a proposed win-wi- n situation clearly a goal of the Utah County Commission who hoped to find a solution that would benefit all the parties involved. The problem here, of course, is that situawhat is needed is a tion and creating a compromise that satisfies the needs of three parties involved in negotiations can be infinitely more difficult than creating one that accommodates two particiwin-win-w- in pants. The needs were clearly spelled out at the meeting: Residents of the Manila Township area need to feel that if their property is going to be annexed to a city, it will be annexed to Pleasant Grove. If not now, then at some point down the road. While surveys show that area residents clearly prefer to remain in the county, it was also very evident that if these homes are to be annexed into a city, they want to be annexed into Pleasant Grove. The feeling that such an annexation is a proposition is fueling the present stampede for annexation at all costs. And Cedar Hills' efforts to thwart that annexation push is seen as a clear indication to the residents of Manila that Cedar Hills has no respect for their freedom to choose their own destiny. Pleasant Grove City has expended considerable resources in the legal battle to give the residents of Manila that very freedom to choose. The city now-or-nev- er you again, I think good Isn't it fun to run into friends when you're out and about? Unless, of course, you are doing something you shouldn't be doing. A few years ago, my wife and I were doing one of those "ox in the mire" things by shopping on Sunday, although I must admit that our ox wasn't in the mire on that particular feels a strong tie to the Manila area, one that goes back over a hundred years. They have an emotional and financial interest in embracing these rural homeowners as Pleasant Grove residents. Cedar Hills is driven by a very different need. The current configuration of the city's boundaries now enclose three sides of the Manila Township very much like a horseshoe. It is a configuration that makes it very difficult and expensive for Cedar Hills to provide critical services like water and sewer to its current residents at the ends of the horseshoe. That's why the city is willing to guarantee Manila Township residents that they will be able to retain their county status as long as they want, if Cedar Hills can simply run its utility lines through the township area. The problem, of course, is that once those lines are run, it virtually guarantees that if the township residents some day decide to annex to a city, they will be forced to annex to Cedar Hills. All of these factors must be weighed, and satisfied, if any semblance of a situation is to be found. This is the dilemma the Utah County Commission must resolve if it is to create a peaceful solution in the Manila area. Their task is made more difficult by the fact that many Manila residents are not interested in pursuing a compromise that reaches this resolution. If county officials are unsuccessful in their efforts to reach a compromise, what Manila residents will be "winning" is higher utility bills, complicated infrastructure improvements, protracted legal battles and decades more of ill feelings. In this case, if everybody doesn't win, everyone will lose. win-win-w- in win-win-w- in stuck out his hand for a handshake. See his hand thus thrust, she stammered that, although she was A Mrs. So and So, she wasn't THAT particular Mrs. So and So. Upon hearing the disappointing news, he quickly retrieved his hand and left the store. Do you ever see someone in passing and want to call them by name, but you're not sure if it really is them? Several years ago, I was walking through the CougarEat at BYU on my way to receive advice from a friend, advice that would somehow get me out of accepting another friend's suggestion that we organize a dating situation to celebrate the end of the semester. Having just been rejected in a dating situation, I had vowed to lead the celibate life and needed a plausible excuse to get out of the pending party. As I walked through the "madding crowd" (Thomas Gray), or the "wretched refuse," if you will, I passed a young woman who I had known several years previously when I attended Southern Utah State University. Deep down I had little doubt that it the was her. Closer to the surface I one that registers embarrassment day. Anyway, we happened upon another local couple whose ox had fallen into some hot fudge sauce and they needed some ice cream to go with it. Since we obviously weren't in our glass house, we weren't about to say anything, but these two felt that they had to take the first step by explaining their presence in the store. You see, guests had arrived unexpectedly at their home and, embarrassingly enough, they were fresh out of dessert. We ran into some friends the other night while we were out shopping, and after exchanging pleasantries, the woman told us of a funny story that occurred to her at her place of employ- ment. It seems that a gentleman had come into the store and during his visit, asked her if she was Mrs. So and So, the proprietor. Sharing the same surname as her boss and without thinking of the possible confusion it could cause, she answered in the affirmative. Thinking he had struck gold, he exuberantly Fund-raisin- convinced myself that I wasn't so sure So I let her pass me by, still talking mysen in ana out oi my ooudi. She didn't hesitate, at least for lone because a few feet after she had apparently it didn't take passed me her as long to convince herself that it she turned and called qut was me my name. All doubt left me at that point, and I, too, turned around to renew my acquaintance with this old friend. We were so happy to see each other after so many years that we did something that we later found was abhorrent to both of us we stood there-ithat aisle and talked, creating a minor traffic hazard for the many students who passed through that area. Like that favorite green sweater ir a well-wor- n pair of shoes, we were comfortable in each other's presence, and not only did we catch up on the events of the years since ; we had last seen each other in class, I soon found myself inviting her to n the event which had prompted my foray into the CougarEat in the first place. Three days later, we attended the dating situation together; three weeks later we were engaged and three months later we were married. Those events happened more than 16 years ago, and on the occasion of my bride's birthday this week, I'm glad she didn't allow the doubts I had stop her from calling out my name. ( scandal should overshadow Lewinsky affair g The most lurid information about secret goings-o- n in the White House is expected to be released to the public next week. No, it's not the transcript of a Linda TrippMonica Lewinsky conversation or some graphic leaks from Sidney Blumenthal about the sex lives of Ken Starr's investigators. It's the report of Sen. Fred Thompson's Governmental Affairs Committee. I challenge anyone who reads nothrisk the danger that powerful foring but its summary of find- eign nationals or even governments would attempt to buy influence ings not to be troubled by the subversion of our democracy. The devastating through campaign contributions." conclusion is that during 1995 and We are treated to the spectacle of 1996, the president of the United the president at a fund-raisat the States the most powerful man in the Hay-Adahotel in Washington on world, the leader of the richest country0 'Fett'lS; 1996. He'is 'seated at the head " needed money so desper "table1 next to Ted Sioeng, an internaon Earth ately that he was wiUimg-t- o trample tional businessman with a Belize passnot only campaign-financ- e laws but port, who was not a resident of the our national security to get it. United States, who could not speak George Stephanopoulos called it English (which the president, being an observant man, surely must have "pulling out all the stops in campaign fund raising." And, as the draft report noticed), and who was ineligible to makes clear, "pulling out all the stops" make political donations. Did it occur included reducing "the White House, to the president to ask what such a key administration offices and the man was doing in the place of honor at g tools." a major fund-raisepresidency itself, to Reading about John Huang's 67 Then, we read that less than two White House visits and Charlie Trie's months later, here is the president 22 visits and then comparing them to again, seated at another head table at Monica Lewinsky's 37 visits, one is left another Washington fund-raiswith with the overwhelming impression Sioeng once again by his side. The body that the president's quest for money language must have been strong at the was more reckless than his Hay-Adaevent. Covering the presiquest for sex. Of the dent's other flank is James Riady, an Indonesian national, head of the Lippo $2,825,600 in illegal or improper donations returned by the Democratic Group and patron of John Huang, who National Committee, almost 80 perhas been consistently generous to varcent was raised or contributed by these ious Clinton causes and campaigns. two men, Huang and Trie. (History The report quotes a letter from a does not yet record what percentage of Democratic activist sent after the 1992 the president's sexual needs were met electibn to John Emerson, the deputy director of presidential personnel, urgby Monica Lewinsky.) The report shows convincingly that, ing a government job for Huang: "(The in its hell-bepursuit of bigger and Riadys) invested heavily in the Clinton bigger piles of campaign dollars, not campaign. John is the Riady family's only did the White House eviscerate top priority for placement, because he g federal laws, but the presis like one of their own." ident himself "disregarded an obvious Not only did Huang get his place 30-pa- er . fund-raisin- r? er ment at the Department of Commerce, he also received 37 classified intelligence briefings. (Calling Louis Farrakhan: Is there a numerological explanation for the suspicious recurrence in our story of the number 37?) Another intriguing number in the Thompson report is 45. A whopping'45 witnesses either fled the country 'or refused to cooperate by pleading the which goes a long way toward Fifth explaining why it has been so hard for the Thompson Committee to flesh out its explosive conclusion about a "China Plan" to influence U.S. policies and elections. The report nonetheless links Riady, Sioeng and longtime Gorer'fund-raisie- r Maria Hsia to the Chinese government. Now that Hsia andfrie have been indicted and Trie has returnecLto the country and is cooperating with the Justice Department, revelations g may emerge that could eclipse that Miss Lewinsky may or my not say not, to be sure, in the plethora of titillating details but certainlySn terms of the rule of law and national '., security. a$y-thin- So the report has everything'jt takes to be a blockbuster dranja, heroes, villains, spies and a compellig story line. Unfortunately, it also hasih Achilles' heel the Republican major- ity's self-servin- decision to whitewash g its own party's transgressions. Iiira disappointing conclusion, the report claims that the $2.1 million loan gujr-ante- e made by a Hong Kong businessman to the National Policy Foruiji, established by the Republican National Committee, was "neither illegal nor improper." This Clintoniaji denial mars a great political page-turnwith a tepid, cop-oending. Shocking reading nonetheless. ut nt fund-raisin- Arianna Huffington can be reached for questions or comments at the foaddress: llowing ariannahufaol.com. Reader's Forum Boosters say thanks Editor: As Lehi High School has just concluded another state basketball championship, there are many people to thank for bringing such excitement to the fans including the basketball team, coaches, cheerleaders, drill team, etc. The Booster Club wishes to express to Mrs. White and the Sports Marketing class a huge thanks for what they have done during the fall and winter sports program. From the fantastic football homecoming halftime activities to the Jazz Bear, this group of youth under her direction has instilled a greater excitement to the school. A huge thanks to the many businesses and individuals who responded to their requests throughout the year. Thank you, Mrs. White, and the Sports Marketing class. We, the Booster Club, a group of alumni and "move ins" who have through the years provided funds, projects and activities to boost the school spirit for not only sports but all clubs and groups, welcome such a positive addition to the school. In addition, we wish to thank the Free Press and Mr. Russ Daly for the many articles, "athlete of the week" columns and general publicity for the many projects and activities sponsored by the Booster Club. We appreciate our home town newspaper and what you are doing to keep us informed. Jan Felix President Editor: Is anyone out there as frustrated as I am with the new stop signs on Lehi Main Street? Saturday afternoon, I was the tenth car in a line at the stop sign, and not one car came through from the north. It seems that there ought to be a Editor: & Circulation Publisher jewtahjews I 'roup member ol IVW HUT?.- NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 Managing Editor City Editor Subscription Brett Bezzant 1 are doing a state research project in my fifth grade class and I will be doing my project on Utah. The project is due at the beginning of May and will cover such topics as famous people from your state, special state traditions, interesting Deadlines .Tuesday, Display Advertising Monday, 5 p.m. News Monday, 2 p.m. Monday, Russ Daly Weddings Monday, price $24x per year Community Haddock Periodicals Postage Paid at American Fork, Utah POSTMASTER: lend address change to 59 Weil Main, American Fork, Utah 84003 Letters to Obituaries Calendar the Editor . . Darren F$y Wagon Wheel Elementary School ' Mrs. Lyon, Room 20 30912 Bridle Patjh Trabuco Canyon, Calif. 92679 We welcome letters to the editor. noon Classified Advertising Missionaries Marc state or town attractions, as well as government, 3 climate and population. The reason that I am writing to your locfcl paper is to ask you if could publish my letter in your paper. I am hoping that some of the members of your community would write to me add tell me about their experiences and traditions n Utah. I would even enjoy it if they shared their favorite recipes with me. I live in Southern California and am sute many things about Utah are different frojn where I live. Also, if any citizens find time to reply, it would be great if they could enclose'a copy of my "published" letter. Thank you so much for taking time for ray request. Any information would be most appreoi-ated- . We Telephone Numbers News A me about Utah Teit ) 309-50- Name withheld New stop signs frustrating Advertising 8750-4669- me to swallow! Lehi Booster Club Published weekly by (ISSN No. (U.S.P.S. No. better way to handle traffic. And to make the new change even worse, a Lehi police officer decided to give traffic tickets (not warnings) to those unsuspecting citizens who drove through the stop sign the morning after the signs were installed. It seems like instead of hiding, he could have made the change more noticeable by turning on his overhead lights to warn citizens of the newly installed sign. We have had many changes in Lehi during the last year, but this has been the hardest one for (printed AND signed) and ters for clarity, punctuation, 2 p.m. HOW TO 2 p.m. .Monday, 10 a.m. .Monday, 10 a.m. Tuesday. 11 a.m. All letters must include the author's name a telephone number We reserve the right to edit lettaste and length. Letters are welcome on any topic. By Mail P.O. 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