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Show "He are dedicated to the public interest, to fairness and accuracy, to innovation and growth, and to the restless pursuit of excellence." OPI1 Pulitzer mission statement ID1TOR: DONALD MKYHRS W. 3440544 AG THE DAILY HERALD (www.HarkThelk-raM.com- ) DI SATl'RDAY, U Mill R 30. 2000 Celebrate New Year's st IProvo's First Can't wait to ring in the new year? Then c'mon down to Provo tonight. The city is conducting its annual First Night celebra- tion tonight because New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday this year. While it may seem strange, think of it as an opportunity to ring in a new millennium twice this year. First Night provides an opportunity to celebrate the end of one year and the start of a new year in a family friendly environment. As in past years, Provo's First Night offers musical acts, street performers and shadow ballet, all in an alcohol-fre- e environment. It's a party you wouldn't be afraid to have your kids and grandparents attend. This year includes new entertainment, such as ice sculpture, a dragon on loan from China and a concert in the Provo Tabernacle fea- turing Peter Breinholt's Big Parade band. . Nigiift HERALD EDITORIAL As in past years, Provo's First Night offers musical acts, street performers and shadow ballet, all in an alcohol-fre- e envi- ronment. It's a party you wouldn't be afraid have your kids and grandparents attend. With most events open to those with a $3 First Night button, it's a pretty good deal. We'll see you down there. Members of The Daily Herald editorial board are Publisher Kirk Parkinson, Managing Editor Mike Fitzgerald, Opinions Page Editor Donald W. Meyers, Community Editor Sharon Gholdston, Or em resident Curtis Turnhull and Provo resident Thanks for the o memooe Carolyn S. Wright. Passing fee violates open access to courts By CARLYLE K. BKYSQN GUEST Just when you think you've seen it all, some government bureaucrat finds another way to pick your pocket. Anyone transacting business lately at the 4th District Court building has learned that you must now pay to park in the publicly owned parking lot adjoining the building. No big deal, say those responsible for the new arrangement. It's all done to provide better service for courthouse patrons, they say. Hogwash. This new parking "fee" is clearly intended to provide the court with a revenue, stream independent of ordinary legislative appropriations. It's nothing less than a tax on courthouse access. Ordinary Utah County citizens might be inclined to say, "So what? It doesn't affect me." But they would be wrong. The minimum cost to Utah County government for parking for just those criminal prosecutors who must be in court every day will be $8,000 a year. But it won't end there. . The county will also pay the parking costs for other members of the county attorney's staff, for sheriffs deputies and for members of the public defenders' staff. It is not inconceivable that the total cost could be $20,000 a year or more. Added to that will be the cost of processing all of the paperwork necessary to reimburse county employees who pay these parking fees initially out of" their own pocket. You would expect a change of this kind to be the subject of some discussion, with prior notice and perhaps input from those who would be the most affected. Didn't happen. This change came like a thief in the night with no warning to anyone. The only information I have received is contained in a "memo" left on the windshield of a staff member's automobile by the concessionaire, Diamond Parking. It COLUMN This new "fee" violates the spirit, if not the letter, of the constitutional right possessed by all of us to free and open access to the courts. seems quite obvious that those responsible for implementing this "fee" anticipated objections to it and felt it would be more difficult to undo than to stop and so kept their plans secret. It's a little unnerving contemplating the extremes to which this type of absurd thinking could be carried by others who might see parking as an unmilked cash cow. School districts could charge parents for parking when they visit the schools. Just imagine all the money that could be raked in at musical programs, athletic events and the potentially profconference. itable parent-teache- r So who are the actual losers here? Not Utah County government nor the attorneys who must be in court each day. Those losing the most are the residents of Utah County. This new "fee" violates the spirit, if not the letter, of the constitutional right possessed by all of us to free and open access to the courts. We all lose because we're now required to pay to use a public building and parking lot for which we have already paid with taxes assessed and collected in an appropriate manner. Even those responsible for this "fee" lose. They are exposed as greedy and out of touch with the people they serve. t personam WEI CAN YOUANPI WE THE KNOTIN THEME HOTEL. A 815 PLAYING OUT, MAN, HEAP FOR. HATDBUILPA NEWUF&... TABLE-- , WAII I CAMPT06ETffly ITS NOT - I CAMP DAVID. z By Garry Trudeau see-m- 60 TO WilHItmLBEWURS..' Carlyle K. Bryson is the Utah County Attorney, Doonesbury i i( "YK.BJMJ.SOMtDM A W AS AH ARTIST, ME A9 rancher aw powerful COMMI&CNeX.HB HAVEKJ& BUIWA THATSMY COUNTY Mallard Fillmore " I YOU MEAN OPCaxse.lpwajceR, 0 - 'A3 MKT -- By Bruce Tinsley A i nnn I 111 wr 0 h i I W ' J 1 y - |