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Show Viewpoints The A-21 Park Record. Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, June 16-19, 2018 editorial Construction delays are a pain, but cooler heads should prevail A nyone who has regularly driven S.R. 224 in recent weeks has likely suffered through at least one traffic jam as construction crews repave a large section of the major entryway into Park City. Orange barrels line the road for more than 2 ½ miles between Silver Springs Drive and Kearns Boulevard, and traffic has often been reduced to one lane in at least one direction. The work, officials say, has also pushed traffic to other roads as drivers seek to avoid the construction. It hasn’t been pleasant for anybody, particularly since it’s happening during the shoulder season, one of the only times of year residents can typically count on easy commutes because roads aren’t packed with visitors. But the frustration, for some, has seemingly boiled over. The Park City Police Department has recently investigated a handful of road rage incidents, with officers citing the construction as a likely cause. So far, the reported incidents have been relatively minor, but the potential always exists for such episodes to turn serious. Rather than letting the situation get the best of them, drivers are better off taking a deep breath and going with the flow, slow as it may be. They can settle in for the ex- guest editorial Former Record scribe recalls child’s battle with City Hall CHRISTOPHER SMART Park Record reporter, 1983-1986 All Michael Jensen wanted to do was make a little money selling worms. At 10, he was something of an entrepreneur, much like the kids selling lemonade on a hot summer day. He put out his cardboard sign in front of the Jensen’s historic, if modest, abode on upper Park Avenue: “Worms, 75 cents a dozen.” It was, after all, fishing season — school was out and the mountain summer seemed to stretch into the distant future. But the young lad was taken aback, his mother said over the phone, when a police officer warned that he was running afoul of Park City’s new sign ordinance. It was the summer of 1983, and I had just joined the staff of The Park Record — my first paid gig as a journalist. My beat included covering the City Council that was housed in the monolithic Marsac School — turned City Hall — perched above Swede Alley, like a castle where the laws were laid down from on high. The newest of them, an ordinance aimed at real estate signs, had just been adopted in reaction to complaints that the sprouting one-armed masts made the en- The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER ....................... Andy Bernhard Editor ................................... Bubba Brown Staff Writers ......................Jay Hamburger Scott Iwasaki Angelique McNaughton Ben Ramsey Carolyn Webber Contributing ............................. Tom Clyde Writers Jay Meehan Teri Orr Amy Roberts Tom Kelly Joe Lair Copy Editor ............................ James Hoyt Engagement Editor.........Kira Hoffelmeyer Photographer .........................Tanzi Propst Office Manager ..................... Tiffany Piper Circulation Manager ............. Lacy Brundy Accounting Manager ......... Jennifer Snow ADVERTISING Classifieds/Legals ............. Jennifer Lynch Advertising Director ........... Valerie Spung Advertising Sales ................... Jodi Hecker Erin Donnelly Olivia Bergmann Chris Roberts Sharon Bush Lindsay Lane Production Director ..................Ben Olson Production .......................... Patrick Schulz tire berg look like it was up for sale. The council and the mayor in the onetime mining town that showed the first signs of morphing into a destination resort, were sensitive to appearances. So, they ordered that such signs be placed parallel to streets, rather than at right-angles, to decrease the sensation that entire blocks of residents were cashing out and moving on. But apparently, Michael Jensen had not read my story in the Record the previous week that asserted the council was taking the matter seriously. For the best visibility, the lad had tacked his hand-made sign on a telephone pole near his house at right angles to the street so it would be noticed by anyone driving up or down Park Avenue. And what would-be fisherman could pass up such a deal: a dozen worms for only 75 cents. Just think of those trout. Michael Jensen was a cute kid and the Record photographer caught his dismay as I interviewed him standing alongside the violation in question. The story quoted him as saying he just wanted to make a little money for summer activities, like Little League. But fines for such improprieties were so steep that he would most likely have to sell worms for the entire summer and still end up in the red — bankrupt before he even got to sixth grade. Nonetheless, Michael Jensen stood his ground — he would not take down the sign, he said. He would fight City Hall. It wasn’t his first run in with the municipality. During the 1982 Art Festival, he had set up a lemonade stand at Fourth Street between Main and Park Avenue. The city quickly shut him down when official festival vendors complained he was stealing their business. Editor David Hampshire placed the photo of the sad kid on the front page above the fold of the next issue of the town’s then-weekly newspaper. When the paper hit the streets Thursday morning, city officials were, shall we say, a little sheepish and steered clear of the Alpha Beta grocery store — a chancy place with constituents on the war path. It seemed as though the entire town of some 4,000 Parkites was downright peeved. What in the world is the City Council doing to kids, like Michael Jensen, they demanded. Councilman Al Horrigan said it best at the body’s next meeting: “We have just stepped on our own (expletive deleted).” Michael Jensen’s sign, “Worms, 75 cents a dozen,” remained for the rest of the summer — and, no, he was not hassled or fined. Call it the power of a free and unfettered press. I’ve been writing news stories for 35 years and that one is still among my favorites. For the record tended commute by putting on a compelling podcast or rolling down the windows and jamming out to their favorite summer hits (but not browsing the internet on their cellphones). After all, there isn’t anything drivers can do about the delays. The best we can do is make them less painful, by remaining patient, obeying the rules of the road and being courteous to other drivers, none of whom are any happier about being stuck in a traffic jam. That tactic will be particularly important as the congestion likely worsens in the coming weeks with the arrival of the summer tourism season. And it’s one drivers will need to employ regularly, as the construction is set to continue through mid-August. The alternative of lashing out against their fellow commuters won’t get drivers to their destinations any quicker — and may even earn them a visit from the police. When the road work is done, driving on S.R. 224 will be a better experience. Until then, painful commutes caused by the construction will be a fact of life in Park City. But it will be less maddening if drivers take it easy, allowing everyone to get where they’re going without incident — even if a bit late. guest editorial Despite what some say, voters in Wasatch Back have choices other than the GOP PAT VAUGHN Democratic candidate, Utah Senate District 26 Complicated by mail-in ballots, the 2018 Primary Election is confusing for everyone. Who can vote, when, where and how? This has been fueled by a concentrated campaign enticing voters to switch parties and vote GOP because a non-GOP vote doesn’t matter. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. This year, there is both depth and breadth of candidate choices, platforms, including gender diversity. For as long as we can recall, Senate District 26 has been represented from the Uintah Basin by a Republican. Three candidates running in this Primary all live in the Wasatch Back. You have choices! There are two very compelling female candidates running in the Democrat primary, Pat Vaughn (Summit & Wasatch) and Eileen Gallagher (Summit). The GOP candidate is Jack Rubin (Summit). Both Democrats have credible backgrounds that can proudly stand beside any other candidates running for this seat. In Utah, there are less than 20% women senators, despite comprising over 50% of the population. Of the 29 senate seats, 23 are Republicans and 5 are Democrats. The Dem candidates can and will represent a strong voice from the Wasatch Back plus bring some much-needed gender diversity to the Senate floor. The premise of a recent editorial was that there are more registered Republican voters in the eastern part of the District. What is important to note is that less than 30% of registered voters exercise their right to vote in mid-term elections. The largest number of registered voters falls in the unaffiliated or independent voter category. This is the group, not the GOP that can determine victory. If Wasatch Back voters turn out for this primary, both major parties could have candidates residing from this area in the November election. Are unaffiliated voters allowed to vote in the primary? YES! The independent voter must vote in-person. They do not need to join a party; they simply need to ask for the ballot that allows them to retain their independent status. Republicans can also vote Democratic in the primary without changing party affiliation, but they need to vote in-person. Voter turnout is historically low because our citizens feel apathy, believing that their vote is worthless because nothing will ever change. This is true only if you make it so. This is the election that can set change in motion for the Wasatch and for the State in terms of governance. We know that better decision making requires more diverse governance. Yes, as a candidate I would appreciate your vote. Even more, I would love our voters to no longer feel frustrated by lack of choice, and disengaged because nothing changes in Utah. Now is the time and the future is now! VOTE! letters to the editor Nonprofit grateful for Park City’s support Editor: As a proud supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, I am thrilled to hear that they are one of the top three finalists to receive the Women’s Giving Fund grant in 2018. BBBS of Utah is leading the charge as it relates to changing lives through mentoring. The staff and volunteers here in Park City are working diligently to create Community-Based and School-Based matches, which directly impacts the youth in our community. In an ideal world, all children that are waiting to be matched would receive a “Big” right away but unfortunately due to lack of funds, there are many “Littles” on the waiting list who are anxiously awaiting finding their match. Data shows that mentors help youth develop social acceptance, educational competence, grades, trust in adults etc. The list goes on! If BBBS of Utah received the Women’s Giving Grant Fund, many new matches could be made helping the youth in our backyard excel to greatness. A BIG “Thank You” goes out to the Park City Community Foundation for bringing the community together as it relates to giving. We are so very lucky to have the foundation here in our backyard and actively involved creating a stronger Park City. Additionally, a BIG “Thank You” also goes out to Vail Resort for funding the Women’s Giving Fund through their EpicPromise program. Lydia Rupnow BBBS board member Photos by Kira Hoffelmeyer Asked at Park City Plaza What causes you to have road rage? Ashley Rush Salt Lake “The whole passing on the left thing doesn’t seem to resonate in Utah.” Bill Khan Phoenix “I don’t have road rage because it doesn’t solve anything or make anything better.” Left to Right: Rylee Hatz, Sarah Pillman, Liv Parker Park City Rylee and Sarah: “When people go under the speed limit especially if they’re in the left lane.” Liv: “When people are tailgating and they shouldn’t be.” Sean Rush Salt Lake “Honestly, it’s people who drive in the left lane and don’t get over.” See these photos and more by following The Park Record on Facebook.com/parkrecord and Instagram.com/parkrecord |