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Show 12 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, November 29, 1984 Comnunmeimft Next, It's The County Budget Is Ferrin A 'Closet Cougar?' two-third- I s two-third- ine on the level of taxation. This year, commissioners seem on the verge of injecting a new source of revenue into the system the utility franchise tax, or fee, which some contend is a more proper term. Many consider that source of funds as a means of providing relief to the property owner, at least those residing in the unincorporated area. Others see in it inequities that will create hardships on those who are already overtaxed and in no position to take on another burden. While the decision of the County Commission is not irreversible, what they determine on that issue this week is likely the route they'll follow through on when official action is taken in December. They'll not know John Q. Public's attitude on the matter unless he chooses to share it with them. Whatever the decision turns out to be this week, additional citizen input into next year's budget for the county will be accepted during the budget There are two primary targets for gripes of the general public elected officials and spending tax dollars. Yet, when it comes time to officially voice opinion on these two matters, John Q. Public for the most part, fades into the woodwork. True, there was a fairly good turnout of voters earlier this month for the general election, but it is questionable how many were truly informed voters casting ballots for the "right" man and how many were just taking part in a popularity poll. of the registered Also, while more than of voters cast ballots, that's still not s those who would be eligible had they bothered to register. If past years serve as any indication, citizens of Salt Lake County will stay away in even greater proportion from the county's annual budget hearing next month. As in previous years, a decision will be made on how to spend millions of dollars to provide services for residents of the county. The pressure seems to grow from year to year as the demand for services increases and costs spiral upward as commissioners try to hold the honest-to-goodne- 17, hearing on Dec. 12. Formal adoption of the budget is scheduled for two days later - with or without broad input from the citizens of Salt Lake County. A white pheasant was beyond my "knowing" but a pheasant it was. Nothing flies the same as they do and the three of them were all together. I had plans to go here and there, but I did none of them. Instead, I watched from wide windows as snow created its unique miracle. It's a beauty of mass and form, not of detail and I love it. At first it seems like a still life -frozen in time and unmoving, but patience and a little time reveals a world of activity. zrp W The birds come to sit on a lonely, single clothesline across my back lawn. The thin cord was at least 3 inches thick with snow and the birds, expecting the usual perch, would lose their balance for a moment, and tumble in surprise to my patio. They loved that, however, for I keep bird seed there to entice them to come. I also toss out bits of suet, a cut apple or orange and a few left over nuts. It makes what I call a "big mess" but, come spring I hose it all down and it's clean again. I watched three pheasants flush and fly to better cover and was astonished to see one of them was pure white! Ethel Bradford was so astounded I couldn't wait George Allen, who with George Allen II and George Allen III are the wild bird authorities for our area. I to call George wasn't at all surprised. "Yes," he said, "there are different colored pheasants. Quite a few people in the valley breed pheasants and mutants are bound to appear Michele Bartmess with odd colorations." I was glad to hear George's words for if he hadn't assured me, I'd have wondered about that nice wine I'd tasted the nite before! I built a fire in the fireplace, of course, and my friend Merlyn and I pulled up our chairs and read, talked, sipped tea and I wrote letters. I wrote by hand, too, for I hated to leave the coziness of the hearth for the convenience of the typewriter. The neighborhood cats stayed home and their dish was emptied by two magpies which are beautiful but they are also gluttons, boorish and belligerent. They then perched on the top of my patio swing and I ruefully knew that I'd better get out a tarpaulin or that swing won't be fit to use next summer. Oh my. . OPPOSE UTILITY TAX Dee r editor, specks against the white sky and then they turned, almost upon my request, and flew low over my home. I could hear their wings swish and see the silver of the thousand wings sailing thru the air. I write to take issue with your "Comment" in the Thursday, Nov. 22, 1984 Green Sheet (Sentinel West). Your title, "Why Not? The Cities Do It" reflects the defective social thinking that if someone else does it, it must be okay. Nothing could be further from the truth. You say that "the average homeowner could probably come out ahead, since the utility tax would be together the day was great. can be a great big nuisance. I - know, but Sunday with leftovers to feed my body and beauty to feed my soul - was a day to be - season. Speaking strictly as a BYU fan, I feel that the time has come to sever, or at least loosen, the tie. Fans and officials of other WAC teams may have another opinion. It does seem ironic looking at this year's crop of bowls with several teams owning less than impressive records having been invited, that New Mexico's fine 10-- 1 team of a couple of years ago was totally snubbed. I think there may be too many bowls and the Holiday Bowl may be one of those that is excess. Bite my tongue. Being number one is kind of fun. There was a pretty intense feeling BYU Saturday. The crowd was rowdy. At least one USU player called us "bad fans." That's good. Are the Cougars the best team in America? Probably not. But because of the way polls are constructed, they have as much right to be there as anyone. The losses marring the records of those teams that are behind them are, for the most part, to teams that are not as good as the teams that gave BYU trouble. As for the weak sisters on the BYU schedule, they were manhandled. Ask Texas about that Baylor bunch. Notre Dame's three straight losses to Air Force two at South Bend -are no fluke. Getting through any schedule with a 12-- record is no picnic. We may not be numero uno when it's all over, but it's been nice to taste it. And if nothing else, it's got people talking. This isn't the first time there's been disagreement over the rankings, and I have a feeling it won't be the last. at 0 eUm To complete the beauty of white and black, there were the flocks of migrating birds that are now here. They were like thousands of black All Snow ss - Oh, But Wasn't It A Great Day ? ? ? ? ? If there was ever a day to be enjoyed to the hilt and then treasured forever, it was last Sunday. I'd like to encapsule it in amber and have it as a jewel to take out and e again and again. ought to be able to draw somebody that would spark the nation's interest in the game. Even if the bowl Sometimes it's a minority opinion, is tied to Mizlou, major stations but what the heck. During the past would have been more likely to pick were it to have an week, of course, I've had a lot of up the game bearing on the about three thoughts major subjects national title. number the one, being Holiday Bowl and Utah's football coach situation. I didn't think anyone could top BYU's handling of the Frank Arnold firing, but wouldn't you know it -those Utes have bested us. This ending of the handshake agreement at the wigwam would be amusing, if it weren't so blatantly is i silly. Could it be that Arnie Ferrin ' a dreaded "Closet Cougar?" Certainly what's going on up there seems to indicate that the team that would have been, I believe, a legitimate challenger to BYU's rulhi r mu n i ma n' ing of the WAC roost is now in disarray. Recruiting has been set back and no matter what, the program will suffer, despite how good Stobart's replacement may be. I BYU is in that old familiar damnthink he was replaced because ed if they do (win) and damned if Cougar fans actually found him they don't and because of that, somewhat acceptable. there's probably more pressure on Shame on you Ute fans for your the Cougars than there would be if. failure to support a team that frankthey were meeting a Top Ten team. ly scared the toenails off most But there's no sense crying Cougar fans before the Nov. 17 over the milk that's already dribmeeting on your turf. Utah may have been the best of the Bo Diddly bling onto the floor. Techs the Cougars played this year. The pairings are set and that's About Michigan? BYU by five, that. I for one plan to watch with the if we're lucky. same intensity as in the past. I came out a couple of weeks ago Which should not be construed to strongly in favor of the Cougars remean I'm thrilled with the selection. maining in the WAC, and I still feel I think the bowl committee did the that way. That does not extend, Cougars a disservice, not because however, to remaining tied to the the Wolverines are an unworthy opHoliday Bowl. ponent, but because by having the That contract is up for renegotianumber one team in your bowl you tion, I believe, at the end of this Being a typical BYU fan, I have an opinion about everything. remembered. coming from a much broader segment of the community, not just property owners." I'd like to know who this broad segment of the community is. Is it the apartment dweller whose taxes will increase and who already pays property taxes in the form of rent. Can you imagine the apartment owner reducing rents because the county might consider a "cutback" in property tax? Or is it the business owner who rents his store? His utility expense goes up, but he already pays property tax when he pays his rent or lease payment to the owner of the property. Will his lease payments go down when a utility tax is levied? Not very likely. But you can bet he has to raise prices to cover his increased expense, a price you and I pay. In fact, can you really think of someone who doesn't pay property taxes, either directly or indirectly. I can't. Whether we write our check to the county tax assessor, the mortgage company, or the property owner, we all end up paying property taxes. I wonder if the real reason the utility franchise tax appeals to politicians is that future tax increases are automatic whenever the cost of gas, electric, or telephone Continued on page 20 The Green Sheet People Poll If Someone Gave You $1,000 That You Must Give Away This Christmas Season, To Whom Would You Give It? w ; If J J s ( - . Doyle Paulk West Jordan Mervin Emery Taylorsville Shelley McMillan South Cottonwood Dan Kellogg Salt Lake City West Valley City "I would give some to Primary Children's Hospital. I had a granddaughter there who only lasted eight days, and it took my daughter several years to pay the bill. I'd make more money available to help young couples with sick children. I'd also give to more families through t. our Sub for Santa program at Nothing is any more pitiful than a child without a Christmas." "I know many people who could use some help. I have a lot of friends from El Salvador, who are friends and family of two girls who lived with us. I would personally distribute the money among them instead of turning it over to some organization. I don't have much faith in most fundraising organizations because they spend half their money on personnel." "I would give the money to the people of Ethiopia. They need so much just to stay alive. We have talked about the problem at school and kids are collecting money to help. It makes me sad to think of somebody dying because there isn't enough food. It's not fair we have so many things we don't need and other people are dying and getting diseases every day. "I would buy my brother a car. He is just moving back to Salt Lake from California. He will be looking for a job, so he really needs a good car. He has been in the Marines for six years serving our country and has had to move around a lot. Whenever he has had money, he has bought things for other people, and I'd like to be able to help him now." "I would give half to each of my parents. They have helped me so much through the years, and have had some setbacks because of unlucky breaks. They have both worked very hard to be successful, and they deserve any help I could give them. I'm always trying to think of ways to help them, but don't have extra money, so it would be a thrill to hand them each a check. ' ' Ken-necot- Debbie Barr i The perfect Christmas Sift for your family! 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