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Show 2 THE GREEN SHEET 5, 1987 Thursday, November 8wp)faft Activities Are A Vital Part Of Our Education System (Editorial It would be a mistake for school administrators to support any move to drastically cut the activities arm of education on the high school level, despite the fact that there are some costs associated with such programs. Activities are a vital part of the educational process. Utah, with its huge student population, ranks near the bottom among the states in the number of activities that are sponsored by the Activities Association. Many school patrons think that activities consist only of sports. That is not so. Drama, debate, VICA, FBLA and music events are also sponsored by the Activities Association. While a few of the sports activities do bring in some revenue, most of the others do not. But that does not diminish their importance in providing an education system that meets the wide and varied need of its students. , Activities add enrichment to school programs. Many are an extension of what is learned in the classroom. They teach teamwork, sportsmanship and a work ethic. Success in VICA, FBLA, drama, music and other areas as well as athletics lead some students to college scholarships and into careers. Their participation in activities is every bit as important what they learn in the basic classes. Trite as it may seem, activities keep kids off the streets. Their horizons are broadened, their lives enriched. So in turn are ours. There is some pressure to remove sports such as tennis, gymnastics and golf from the realm of activities by creating "club" Lowers Agrees With Editorial Dear Editor: , Hurray, for The Green Sheet editorial in the Oct. 22 edition. I fully agree that West Valley officials need to reconsider the proposed landscape ordinance. This ordinance, which will command residents and developers where, and what kind of trees are to be planted in ' newly constructed homes, is very demanding. Although it is a good idea to have trees planted in yards, city officials are trying to overstep their boundaries by stating a specific kind. Often we find that our yards reflect our personalities; therefore, the homeowner needs to make his individual view of what his yard is to be. Furthermore the new proposal plans to enforce its ordinance by withholding electrical power to homes that don't abide. That seems to be a juvenile response. Maybe if the city is so determined to pass a tree ordinance, they should consider requiring a tree but not necessarily a specific kind. teams. Many young people would be denied an opportunity to try these events because they would go back into the expensive private lesson category. Tennis and golf are lifetime sports and participation should be encouraged. We do think that if interest is insufficient on a school level, the sport could be dropped. The High School Activities Assn. is taking a careful look at its number of classifications and wisely so. Those who advocate three rather than four may have a valid point. The annual rash of playoff games could be averted by either adopting some sort of geographical playoff format or by eliminating the number of teams that qualify for postseason play. Football scores such as 50-- would seem to indicate that a mismatch is created by taking four of six teams from a region into postseason play. If the first and second place teams in 4A and 3A divisions advanced, those teams exwould be rewarded for season-loncut of be number the would cellence, games in half and the financial rewards would be almost as good as in the current system. The Green Sheet is an advocate of high school activities, both sports and nonsports. We think they should be encouraged to grow and develop, but we think some common sense ought to be instituted, especially in the sports area. LisaSirianni Praise For Band Dear Editor: It was exciting to watch the Hunter junior high band perform in several recent parades. Their appearance and music seemed to exceed that of other participating bands. Mr. Talbot and band should be commended for their hard work in this accomplishment. In a relatively new school, they have helped'to create scholastic standards and pride in the Hunter community. Teachers such as Mr. Talbot too often go unnoticed. We are looking forward to the Christmas parade. g Sincerely, Richard Kemple Blasts City Manager Veterans Day 1987 ; by John P. Comer National Commander The American Legion ' During 1987 our nation celebrated the 200th birthday of our Constitution. Since 1787, the U.S. Constitution has been the document that serves as the foundation for our government . . . a government t4 by the people" and "for the ' r '"''''-'''''"''"f-'--tvptm- people.""" This Veterans Day has a very special meaning to the millions of Americans who have worn the uniforms of our nation's Armed Forces. America's veterans know first hand what the Constitution means to this country and sacrificed to keep our foundation solid. Veterans over time were called upon to serve and defend the Constitution and they did so without reservation. Beginning with our struggle for independence, citizens have taken up the challenge . . . serving in such places as Valley Speaks Is it too early for a BYU football fan to show some renewed enthusiasm for a season that until Saturday had more downs than ups? pair of shoes for every half hour of their lives. The old stand-bthat used to be called a sneaker - I've now y tice, 15 minutes late, I think to myself, they should make a bumper sticker that reads "Time spent finding shoes cannot be deducted from a mother's life." Ugh! hate shoes. I Are your preschoolers like mine? Every time they hear that accidental jingle of my car keys they come out of the woodwork and beg to be taken along. I can't count the times I've had to carry one or more of them (I have twins) from the car to the nearest shopping basket, simply because they didn't happen to mention, when we pulled out of the driveway, that their feet were in the back seat and their shoes were hiding under the sofa. Don't you just love the inquisitive stares from those perfectly coifed grandmothers standing in the checkout line just behind your shoeless offspring? Why is it that these sturdy, functional footcoverings we call shoes can be such a pain in the neck? Shoes are continually lost, hiding, left outside or stolen out of the gym locker. Now who in their right mind would steal a smelly pair of sneakers, I ask? "A lot of kids would if they 're Reebok's, " my daughter replies. Then to make matters worse,-- have found that if both right and left shoes are here they're bound to be the pair that has a hole in the side, top or bottom, or has lost a heel or is now one size too small. Every paycheck I can count on buying one or more of my five youngsters another pair of shoes. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't that the salesmen in this world have my teenagers convinced they must have a different : been informed by my son - can be disguised as a running shoe, a jogging shoe, an aerobic shoe, a high-toa low cut, they're red, orangeyellow, black, and any combination there of. The choices are endless. Unfortunately my children think the money ought to be, too. Ever notice that no matter how many shoes you have you never choose the right pair in the morning for the weather in the afternoon? Those dainty little sandals looked so smart when you left for the office but after standing in the afternoon rain for half an hour they somehow lose their charm. Or, what about the day when after a particularly bad morning - the alarm doesn't ring, the coffee maker quits, the dog gets loose and one of the kids needs a last minute three layer cake for school - you get to work and just happen to look down. You discover that you're wearing two shoes that wouldn't make a pair in the dark, let alone the bright light of an office conference room. And last but never least, I'll share with you a surefire way of finding both your husband's shoes. Try to get from the door of your bedroom to the edge of the bed silently in the dark so as not to wake him. I guarantee you'll find them without any effort at all.'-Just be certain to catch yourself when you trip and try not to break anything more serious than the silence. Shoes, I hate them with a passsion except, when it starts to snow. Strike that, I just remembered, boots. Patricia Hanson Taylorsville Favor ! Very truly yours, Gennevieve Russell Editor's Note: This letter reached our office too late for inclusion in last week's paper, but the writer's opinions are important and we publish them despite the fact the letter appears after the election. The Green Sheet welcomes contributions to both to the Editor" and "As I See It." "Letters" should be confined to a length of 250 words or less and not contain libelous comments. They must be signed, but the writer's name will be withheld for adequate "Letters cause. We welcome lengthier correspondence for possible use as "As 1 See It" commentaries. Primary consideration will be given to those submitted by people with expertise in the topic about which they write. A brief description of that expertise should accompany the submission. All submissions are subject to editing for space and clarity. They may be addressed to: The Green Sheet, P. O. Box 7187, Murray, Utah 84107. Cougar Fans An Obnoxious Lot She Says She Hates Shoes As I See It - In Dear Editor: I speak out in favor of the library expansion program. I say most heartily that I support the library expansion bond. As a regular user of the library I know it- - It's Sunday Morning rush hour and I'm on my way out the door to choir practice. "Just finish getting dressed and I'll be back to pick you up for services." Then I realize that the kids are in the bedroom singing their old familiar song, "Where oh where has my little shoe gone?" Without exception I find myself dragged in for the chorus, every time. As I drive away to prac- Dear Editor, I would like to commend your paper in printing the letter from Mr. Bob Christensen, concerning the Hercules problem. He made some very pointed comments. We had a great opportunity to elect him to the WVC council, so we could have someone in office with guts to stand up against the powerful business community as well as a number of arrogant government workers. In reviewing the article about Hercules and the "County Wrench," I doubt very much if the county has the interests of the citizens of West Valley City at heart; if they do it is probably to get some votes. However, the County is a bona fide level of government and cannot be dismissed by the city Manager John Newman saying that the bonding etc. is none of their business. It is this kind of arrogance which could spill over into decisions strictly involving the citizens of WVC and under those circumstances it may be unwise. I hope the citizens of this city will express their distaste for the attitude of our city manager to dismiss any possible alternative which may be helpful and could save the taxpayers millions of dollars. Sincerely, Sylvan L. Crofts Forge, Gettysburg, Mexico, Bella Woods, Tripoli, Wake Island, Inchon, Da Nang and Beruit. Millions of America's veterans defended the constitutional ideal to the end. The sacrifices of veterans have touched the lives of more than just their families. The fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and children of this nation have also felt the effects of their service. The results are the freedoms we have today and that are enjoyed by all our citizens. Through our veterans selfless dedication to the ideals of freedom, this nation remains a beacon of hope for freedom loving people. For more than 200 years, the citizens of the world have come to our shores to share in the liberty that is America. Veterans Day 1987 is a time to be proud of the men and women who have worn the uniforms of our nation's military services. For without those men and women, we would not have been able to celebrate the 200th birthday of our Constitution. ...... Sincerely yours, 9 our what it means to have such facilities so near two such to have fortunate most are homes. We facilities in our community for they are means of education and enjoyment. Have you who speak out against this expansion proyou seen the gram been to the library lately? Have libraries for the are who using number of young people material? Have you resource for and purposes study seen the tables piled with books and books piled on top of the bookshelves because we no longer have room for them to be stacked in the shelves? We can't afford to have books discarded that are still valuable because we have no room and we must have the current Have you publications to keep abreast of the times. know the cost of purchased a book recently? Then you these items. The cost of one hardback book is less than we are being asked to pay in a year for the expansion of the libraries. It has been mentioned that there are videos available at the library. I think it is a credit to our library board that they had the foresight to budget this advantage for our children into their costs. We cannot shut our eyes and pretend that this media does not exist and what better place to be exposed than at the library? Clark Cushing does not now nor will he ever speak for me. I choose to speak for myself. I resent the implication that because I am a senior citizen I am not entitled to the better qualities of life. Because I am on a fixed income I budget more carefully for the luxuries I still want to enjoy. The amount of increase to our property tax is so minimal. Why, I will only have to give up 22 cans of Coke in one year to pay it - and believe me, for me to give up my Coke is a real sacrifice. But I will to keep our gladly forego this pleasure if it will help libraries growing. People who are speaking out against the bond must not be one of the regular users of the library for those of us who know of the overcrowding and the deprivation that will surely come if there is no more room available in these buildings. , I am concerned that the senior citizens are being singled out as the ones who will defeat this bond. Many of us are just as concerned over the continued growth and expansion of our communities' educational facilities as more affluent citizens. But all the support in the world will mean little if we do not get out and vote in the Nov. 3, 1987, election. Let's vote to keep Murray the fine community that it is and have our libraries expanded and updated so we can continue to prosper and enjoy. If we defeat this issue we are hurting ourselves. Go to the library and check out some books. They are top of the line and cost us so little. LET'S KEEP MURRAY READING Probably. But I will anyway. I know, the rest of you think we're spoiled, arrogant and pig headed. Which may be true. But that's big time college football. Religious restraint aside, people who pay big bucks for season tickets, sit through whatever types of weather Mother Nature provides and endure endless traffic woes, are going to grumble when things don't go their way. Once you've been offered a delicacy such as a national championship, your expectations do exceed those you had when the program was fortunate to produce a .500 season. That's human nature. Obviously a program that produces a bowl contender every year and a perennial conference championship is going to be a source of irritation to those whose loyalties lie elsewhere. Or at least its fans are a source of irritation. Many people grudgingly admire the program but hate the fans. Utahns are not unique, despite the church angle. Imagine the heated discussions that Floridians have. Citizens of Indiana and Texas have some divided loyalties. And then there's Los Angeles. But this year, for the most part, BYU fans were getting a comeuppance of sorts. For which Utah fans might have been happy had they not been having one of their own. In fact, they've had little time to argue with one another, because they've been busy arguing with those of their own ilk - that is, Ute fans have chewed on their quarterback controversy while Y fans have offered countless opinions on what's wrong. They didn't have the time or energy to analyze each other's problems. But in Provo Saturday there were few complaints. No one is more popular than a backup quarterback. For the second year in a row it appeared at least to the fans that Cougar coaches had made an error in judgement. And for the second year in a row, Air Force was victimized by "the change." While Saturday (after the first period) was pretty exciting, it just might be too soon to get really excited. But it's hard not to. The smart fan will no doubt withhold judgement. Bob Jensen ' great runner. If Jensen can shed his "CryBobby" image, it might be nice to see he and Covey in the same backfield on occasion. If Covey doesn't succeed on the gridiron, don't worry about his future. The young man is brilliant. In electronic and print interviews he actually sounds like a college student. Many athletes masquerade as r " s ; fi J J was hailed as a hero a scant year ago. Now he's a bit of a goat. Whether Sean Covey can sustain the momentum he launched Saturday does remain to be seen. But there were some good signs. After the first period. He appeared to have the ability to survey the en- tire field; Battcs9 - students, but this kid uses words with all the comfort of your favorite easy chair. He probably learned a few things Saturday. Like just how important the offensive line is to his personal success. To their credit, the fans were less vocal than usual while the er hitting secondary team struggled through receivers, going long and allowing receivers to adjust their routes. He showed courage in the pocket. For the most part, his passes were on the mark. You never felt he was putting the ball up for grabs as has been the case earlier - in the season. He does seem to lack Jensen's exciting ability to break the long run. But in the BYU program the appearance of fragility has never been a problem Of the truly successful signai callers, only Steve Young has been a that nightmarish first period. Jensen's statements in the press might have made him a touch unpopular. Perhaps he learned something too. No one likes to be benched, but airing it in public is a dangerous thing. ' At any rate, for one glorious Saturday, the excitement was back. The struggles of the past two years took a back seat to the thrill of the moment. If he's indeed for real, then prepare to hate BYU fans for the rest of this year. And two more. , |