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Show Free Press - Wednesday, Aprill, 1998 Page 2 Opinion !:! IHM. Ill MM, Si!i!aiS!! Color me according to the team and the season No representation in county govt. It's hard to understand how a community that can generate 12 count 'em, 12 candidates for a single district in the Utah Legislature can fail to find one man or woman who wants to serve on the Utah County Commission. But when Utah County voters go to the polls next month, and again in November, for the 1998 primary and general elections, that will be the dilemma faced by the north county, which is fated to be without geographical representation on the Utah County Commission for at least two years, and probably longer. For some unfathomable reason, lots of people in the north county area are interested in public service as elected officials, but none of them wants to be County Commissioners. Granted, there is a difference between serving as a commissioner and as a legislator. The former is a job that pays a mediocre e wage. The latter is a job that pays even less. Commissioners establish policy for all county residents for a variety of government services, like county road construction and issues such as air quality standards. They serve as administrative heads for a bunch of special service districts. They are the main government for individuals who live in the county but outside of city limits. They also find themselves arbitrating disputes between communities in the county. And they go to lots of meetings. Legislators are responsible for setting policy on a variety of state full-tim- e part-tim- Statistical lies Zig Zigler 1997 Creators Syndicate. Inc. n It is a "fact" that SO percent of all the people who marry in America end up divorced. The iquestion is, is it a "fact,? or is it one of those statistics that has not been properly presented? Census Bureau records of 1990 conclusively prove that the statistical data is incorrect. A newly created category enables statisticians to track everyone who has been married and everyone who has heen divorced. As a result, some excitinp and encouraging information has Deen revealed. According to these figures, less than 20 Dercent of the people who get married end up aivorced. The 50 percent figure includes those who have been divorced multiple times. lhe good news is 80 Dercent of people who marry end up staying By well-know- married. can even increase You those odds bv careful courtshin dating your intended two or more years before you marry and coming 10 Know not only the individual but his or her family, as well. wide programs everything from workfare to education. They meet chiefly for the first two months of each year, where under intense scrutiny they are expected to evaluate and vote on hundreds of bills, including bills to establish an annual state budget. In addition to the annual session, they go to lots of meetings. Both offer a unique opportunity to perform valuable public service and establish important public then are 12 people willing to run for the legislature from Lehi (seven of them Republicans) when the north county area from Lindon to Lehi can't generate a single candidate for the Utah County area has any interest in running for the office in an election year when two of the three commission seats are up for grabs. It is a prime example of the adage that the voters, as well as get exactly the kind of representation they deserve. And on the county commission level, north Utah County will get no representation at all for at least two more years. And we've earned it. non-voter- s, The new mayor of Centerville created quite a bit of controversv hv suggesting it would make sense for the baseball league to eliminate Monday night games. This is the same controversy that was raised in Mapleton last year when that city's mayor suggested the. same thing. The problem, of course, is a religious one. In the Mormon culture, Monday nights are reserved for Family Home Evening, an activity designed to strengthen the family. But critics of a ban on activities on Monday night point out that such a ban is enforcing the practices of a religion that has at times branded itself "peculiar" on the general population. That's why Centerville Mayor Frank Hirschi has found himself immersed in controversy, although he claims that no controversy exists. After all, his community is about 80 percent Mormon, and it only makes sense to limit activities on a night when 80 percent of the residents might be reluctant to participate. Whatever the argument, the dispute has painted Hirschi as a bit of a religious zealot who is intolerant of religions that aren't his own. I want to give a different picture of Mayor Hirschi. When I knew him, he was Brother HUT?,- (Ml NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION - father of my best friend, David. Through junior high and the first years of high school, David and I were inseparable. .His, father was well . respected in our town, a small community of about 3,000 people. He wielded influence in the religious community because of his position as a Seminary teacher and as an LDS Stake leader. On the secular side, he was the ranking elected political figure in Bear Lake , County. Idaho held its legislative sessions the way the Utah legislature meets. When David and I were in the 8th grade, his father used his influence to get David a job as a page in the House of Representatives, and took him out of my life for a few months. But Frank recognized that two months can be a long time to boys, so he arranged for me to visit David for a few days in the middle of the session. For me it was a grand adventure. I rode the train alone from Montpelier to Boise. David was more than happy to see me. He was living with his father in a downtown hotel once a year, similar to are being operated recently, thank goodness you don't get out often. I don't know where the information was gained that 500 tickets a day are handed out but that is not the case in Utah County. I would be if all the agencies in Utah County combined surprised issue 500 citations on the busiest of days. There is little in the Constitution of the United States about traffic enforcement. It may be because of the noticeable lack of automobiles in the 18th century. He also states he will have for graffiti and gang activity. I wonder if he took that message from .the first Utah County Gang Conference since that was the theme. He states he will improve benefits and for employees of the Sheriffs office. I think training he will have to convince a county commission to fund such an endeavor and may suggest that is the office he seeks if he truly wants to accomplish this most worthwhile of goals. In a recent article in the Daily Herald by Gib Twyman, Mack is quoted as saying he would "rather he serve some form of community service" when speaking about a hypothetical "16 year old kid" caught exceeding the speed limit. This is, an alternative to the present system but again, would require a change in the laws since the Sheriff does not impose sentences. That is the responsibility of a judge. Perhaps that is the office which Richard Mack should seek or maybe a legislator so he could change the law to allow a Sheriff to be the enforcer. ) ZrQ. NATIONAL . Hirschi.' and he IDS Seminary in Montpelier, Idaho. vul He was also a member of the Idaho State House of Representatives, and the room they shared with two or three omer legislators trom out of town. It was a pretty sterile atmosphere for a young man. For a couple of days, I followed David around as he performed his duties of Page. We skateboarded on the sidewalk near the capitol building, and I saw the sights of the "big city." We were having a ball. Frank Hirschi also wanted to see that we had an education. When Sunday came, Frank had David and me dress in our Sunday best and marched us off to the religious service of a Protestant church in Boise's downtown. It was an eye opening experience, one we never could have had in Montpelier. After all, our town was at least 90 percent LDS. Bear Lake Valley was settled by Mormon Pioneers in the 1860s and few people had found much reason to move there since. To have attended another religious service other than Mormon would have been scandalous, especially for David. But in Boise, none of that mattered. There were plenty of Mormons there, had we wished to attend an LDS service, but Frank Hirschi recognized this opportunity for two young men to see first hand that people of other religions were jusi as aevout about their religion con- f as "us Mormons" were, even if"neir vices were different. ser- It was the only non-LD- S religious ceremony I ever attended until I was 20 years old, but that single meeting created a greater awareness in me of the similarities as well as some of the differences between my religion and those of other people. It was also the most memorable part of that teen-ag- e adventure. The next year, Frank and his family moved to Cache Valley. David and I kept in touch for a few years, but eventually we lost touch. I was interested to read that Frank, who is getting up there in years, had resumed a public career as the mayor of Centerville. It's interesting now to read that he is stirring up controversy. But my experience in Boise more than 30 years ago leads me to believe that any suggestions to limit Monday night activities are not driven by religious zealotry, but by a desire to plan activities when people are most likely to participate. Reader's Forum Telephone Numbers Advertising News member of everybody Hirschi gave a lesson in religious diversity " has ,o Published weekly by A mis-dresse- d. rs Commission? For years this newspaper has pushed for geographical representation on this important government body, arguing that someone on the commission should have to live with the results of the commission's decisions. But it is pretty hard to press that argument when no one from the tional misleading when campaigns are started. One of the sheriff candidates states he takes his oath of office seriously. He seems to think his oath of office does not include enforcing the laws of the state of Utah or the ordinances of Utah County. There is more to the oath of office for a law enforcement officer than to obey and defend the Constitutions of the United States and this state. The protection of the public is authorized by both Constitutions but is demanded by our oath of office. Enforcement of all law is the duty of a law enforcement officer and must be carried out with fidelity. The State of Utah authorizes and directs the duties of peace officers. The State of Utah is the only one, in this state, who has the authority to grant or revoke peace officer powers. The Sheriff may not revoke a peace officer's duty to enforce a county ordinance, state law or federal law. If memory serves this type of action would be interfering with a peace officer or obstruction of justice. He says he will, "eliminate using traffic tickets to raise money, and focus instead on serious violations of the law." I hear the same hollow ring as those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents. If you have not witnessed thee reckless manner in which vehicles 309-50- mous child of mine veniently denied doing the deed decided to spice up the milk with a little color. Skim milk, being a little blue anyway, is much harder to digest when it has been turned a deeper blue Not understanding what she was implying, I questioned what would be better. Perhaps a little disgusted with my into fashion? I never f ortunately thought I wanted oy iooa coloring. seeming lack of enthusiasm for The to be dead in one of those, there was only a little of it left, and I caught Big Game, she chastised me with the either, but I finally gave in and got suspect that the person who got to tone of her voice as she said, "Well red, one. drink the remainder of that gallon had of course." Several years ago, a pair of red a hand in dyeing the milk. Of course. The Running Utes should shoes called out my name at ZCMI, Within a week, another be and have been praised for their sucnot only because they were on sale, genius decided to put some culinary food cess in reaching the Final Four. but because they were so different. I coloring in the vegetable oil.green Although Commentators on every channel have took a little flak for the first few times the oil itself seemed to be unaffected been talking about Majerus and his that I wore them, but they soon the subsequent green dinner rolls and Utes and what they have done. became sort of a trademark. some green muffins did not have the I hope that each time those sports-casteHeaven same appeal as ones of a golden brown knows mention Utah, the perception grade, not only did I why, in seventh only personally select hue. of our state goes up in the minds cf a pair of orange corduroy pants as It reminded me of a time when I people all across the nation. part of my school ensemble that year, lived in Japan, when we scrambled to So, just as one wears green on but my mother actually allowed me to find inexpensive cuisine of our own March 17, a true-blu- e Utahn (even make my own decision on that one. making. those who are true blue for BYU) probOn my turn to cook, I whipped My wife and I have an ongoing joke should up have worn red on March about white shoes because her ably some mother cabbage and eggs as a sort of 30. never let her have a pair because of "power breakfast." Lacking traditional I get the same sort of feeling every the tremendous upkeep. green cabbage one day, I substituted time I see a purple shirt. Her mother was probably right, purple cabbage, and the As a Pioneer alumnus, I still feel a concoction, because my mother did allow me to dubious at best anyway, turned out sense of pride in my alma mater, and have a pair of white dress shoes and I blue that day. Dr. Seuss would have wearing a purple shirt is a way to can attest to the fact that they are been proud. reconnect with my past. Surprisingly, Before we consumed it, I wanted to items. I did not own anything purple though, It is interesting to be on the take a picture of it to show my current when I attended the school with the parental end of clothing choices. We loved ones and my posterity. Needless purple and white colors. painfully watch our children make to say, I had plenty of time to get my My wife feels the same way about her crimson and gold, and we both interesting selections as they learn to camera. dress themselves, then moan and Have you tried Blue Eggs, No Meat? remember the days of the turquoise when are teens groan often and they Try them, do, they can't be beat. and orange of the Thunderbirds of revert to their childhood (or childish) Russell ate them in Japan, Southern Utah State College. Russell fried them in a pan. ignorancenaivete. Although I wouldn't want to be We must be very careful when we Don't you laugh and don't you jeer, caught dead in a pink car, the most purchase clothing for the children Try them, try them, have no fear. successful of Mary Kay distributors without the children present, for we You might eat them when you're proudly drive about in their Cadillacs have to try to prognosticate what col- poor, oi tnat color, wearing their hearts on ors and styles they will accept and You might like them evermore. their sleeve for the world to see. like. Even though they don't look neat, Remember when pink ties came A couple of weeks ago, an anony lasty are Blue tggs, No Meat. policy-- Editor: Ah, what sweet politics. There seems to be an abundance of either direct misinformation or inten- 8750-4669- my wife felt long-sleeve- d, Why Mack misinformation (ISSN No. (U.S.P.S. No. After donnine a vellow shirt pnate for the weather because it is NewfahN ews roup i awt r.m trmm LMirvrrrMfl w tamco norm 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 t Circulation Publisher Bezzant Marc Haddock RussDaly Subscription price $24 per year Periodicals Postage Paid at American Fork, Utah POSTMASTER: Main, Mnd addrtn chanat to Anwtcan Fort, Utah MOOS streets ' tuneJhad "C iiume wouid provide. en to form the new side- the roots and a little more "p beautiful pieces of been preserved tTee of our hous was at leasTaST years 0ld, as we have a picture of the house being built showing the tree to be quite large. Our home is 80 years old citv fficials who have no inveimenthame our street because here to appreciate the shade and they don't live beauty they pr dni,resPect. those who do. Those of us who our opinion, but only to deaf ears. We have been promised by the city the replace-S- r Cn0U,gh we won't tinS on a five gallon tree to to to mL. , arod hkfou'u"13 S llT anff hPy m&3$3 me?tfrPddilherletterlaStweek,let another solution before thev destroy another street with its history I, too, would like to address the removal of the trees on 100 East. The longtime residents of 100 East have enjoyed their beauty for many years. As somewhat newcomers, we were excited to find a home on such a beautiful street, especially as it reminded us of the small town we grew up in with Deadlines . . . . News.... . Tuesday, noon 5 p.m. 2 p.m. Monday, 2 p.m. .Monday, Monday, Missionaries Weddings Community Calendar Letters to the Editor . Obituaries tree-line- d Editor: Display Advertising City Editor 59 Wnt Let's save the trees Classified Advertising Brett Managing Editor iudze and iurv I have been in law enforcement for most of 20 years (currently a sergeant for the Utah County Sheriffs Office), during that time I have seen laws written and enforced. Our founding fathersmany us a bluegave print and framework for government. They did not anticipate such things as illicit drugs, juvenile street gangs, traffic laws with automobiles, stock exchanges, computers or many other things we experience today They instead gave us a vehicle to solve problems and a guide to individual and collective rights. The laws passed by the legislative branches of government entities are held to the scrutiny of courts to make certain the laws stay within the framework of the Constitutions. I am thankful I live in Utah County, Utah, United States of America. I also hope we can maintain the professional Sheriffs Office we have and improve it by working with all the laws, not just the ones that grab headlines. Danny Lee Curtis Monday, . ters for 10 Monday, 10 bhirlyene and LaMar Phillips All letters mut TO RPir-- H a.m. a.m. 11 a.m. P.O. Box 7, By Mail American Fork, UT 84003 In Person 59 W. Main, American Fork Dairis LaFord Mac and Diana MacNaughtan ........ inH,,H telephone number. We clant, punctuation, taste and length. Letters are welcomed 2pm. .Monday, Tuesday, We welcome letters to the editor. (printed AND signed) and a Rn and .. us By Fax 756-527- 4 Bye-Ma- il newtahaol.com let- any topic. |