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Show Thursday Feb. Letters n 13. 199() Opinions less than 4l words, signed Shnuld be tvped double-spacewith full name, and include address and phone number (number won't be published i. Direct questions to Hint Stephens, editorial page editor, fi ne iissspacK repor 5. Comity Attorney Steve Killpack and his staff deserve credit for a job well done in connection with the Sandberg Warner report submitted Wednesday to county eoirimissioners. And County Commissioner Brent Morris must be given credit for ordering it up in the first place. As it turns out, the report puts Utah County government officials in the rare position of being able to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. The voters and taxpayers of Utah County now stand to come out of the Sandberg sexual harassment scandal with a significantly improved county government. That's because of the numnature -- - of the and ber recommended by the county changes attorney. Last month Morns asked Killpack to review and assess the legality of every county action stemming from Sandberg's firing of his confidential secretary. In retrospect, it probably was asking too much of any attorney to expect him to investigate his own house and then come out with a report saying, "We broke laws right and left." Killpack did the next best thing. His report, which is a lot more thorough than it might have been, concludes in effect that "The things we did were, alih, legal but it would be errr, ahhh better if we handled the same things 4V Herald comment differently in the future." Killpack calls the county's recent actions "legal." His apparent meaning, in good lawyerly style, is that there ARE arguments he could use to defend them in court if he had to. On the other hand, he recommends that the county: Make a small but significant change in the way it handles commission executive sessions. That commissioners let the county clerk, not their secretaries, handle the task of preparing the commission agendas. Give the county clerk more control of check registers. Improve the handling and timeliness of commission meeting minutes. Adopt a new ordinance giving the county auditor authority to certain county funds in advance of board approval but make sure the board approves other expenditures BEFORE the money is released. The ball is now in the commissioners' court. It is up to them to take actions that will put the county attorney's recommendations into effect. $20 million settlement? Ivana deserves more from cheapskate hubby dropped when Slats Grobnik gave his views on the breakup of the Trump marriage. "That guy Don Trump is a louse, the way he's treating his old lady," said Slats. ' liven worse, he's a cheapskate." You, of all people, are sympathizing with Trump's wife, Ivana? "Sure, ain't you'.' The way he was playing around. lie was bringing his young dolls on ski trips when his wife was there, and taking 'em to parties. I mean, if a guy ih going to play around, he ought to have tlii' decency to do it on the sneak." I .suppose that's title. In other times, he would be called a cad, a cur and a scoundrel. Hut I don't understand why you (all him a cheapskate. From what I've read, she will receive $20 million, a palatial house and surely a judge will award her substantial child .support payments. I don't consider $20 million to be a trifling 0 sum "Thai's what thought when I first heard about it. I said, wow, $21) million ain't uist walking-aroiinmoney. And I got to liiniit that if my wife walked up to me or.-s.ml, 'Hey, bo.o, scram out of my life.' an.! handed ine a certified check for $20 in:!'. I'd shako her hand, tell her we would a!w.-- s he friends, grab the dough and hop the pi. mo for the French Riviera." 'I her, wh are you calling Trump a 1 d !t' clie:.pskatc'.' looked at the big picture. "i'mouse See. that's tie trouble with most peopie. Thc ;h;nk small. They sa the babe is getluig all that money, she ought to be don.;' ba. kinps instead ef saxing she's going to sac hiia for mote." And what is the big picture'.' "For siartei s. this Trump is supposed t hi nh ,,; least $1.7 billion, maybe n. : ow much money that is':" know 1 ( l .. i more :h.m that. .. :s :', r !' s l.a1 ! '" 'i '' .'' " " ::. t I figured :t out. I'd eai's to earn $17 I uu'd new rnent. : : s. "fA . took m c.iu u'.. iter an I Right. o':t what percentage o: his b.indie Cn- Trump is giving his wi!e With the tug hon-and e entiling. ;t barclv. comes to a ;' !... !,: He prob., o'.;. makes that much m :':'cii-m two or three months, "lie wli.it do oa think a .i.ige .i.. o a . u v ;. u. liked into ( ". .: .nd Your bono: I'm wi rth I " ..re tii.it I'll i.ive m w ite ' "' x II call ;t .,: qlots .s : .o ; . ,:.:..!:! tap linn :. the I ! o 1 g Piu!e -- . i : :.': " Yr :mp ' ' - !.'-,.;;:- a '.' i I rie.-s'.- o , ,u'i ci id ! !' snc : k ' i r.:n:t":.; ai a;:nd to he's t;' ' ',' a she t :v-- s.-.- i that lie i i' v. Mike Royko TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES ecutives when they get the boot?" Well, what about them? "Some of those guys get millions. But did any of the executives ever go through nine months of labor like Trump's wife did three times? Did any of them get stretch marks from anything except eating big lunches on their expense accounts?" You have a point. "Sure. There she was waddling around in a inaiernits dress, with water on her ankles and all that stuff, while he was downtown getting some steam and a massage at his private gym. And don't forget, she just didn't sit around the house looking at People Magazine. She was at his big casino in Atlantic City. From what I read, she was running the joint, watching the bottom line, making sure the dealers weren't pocketing chips, and giving a big smile to the high rollers. She kind of reminds me of mv Aunt Stella." Who? "My Aunt Stella When my little Uncle Chester was a neighborhood bookie, and a i i. didn't p.i. Aunt Stella used to go see the uy and threaten to stick both her t: mil's id his eyeballs. She had big t' ii'.ibs so t!;c always paid. You can bet ','.,.! Uncle Chester wouldn't have tried to dump Aunt Stella with, only 1.5 percent. Not if Chester didn't want to wear two eye patches the rest ; his ht'e. But to get back nu can tell she was to '.lie Trimi'v and was tr ing to ;i io the pi ..sc him She even had her mug hoisted k voa: " Her what'.' "Her mug hoisted. You know, one of those .loan Rivers jobs." You mean eoMiictie surgen ? Yeah. And that can't feel good. The doc has to st nk needles in our head and grab vojr skin and yank on it like a pair of tight stockings. almost pass nut when the dentist cleans r.i teeth. But Trump's wife goes thriu!i thai so that when tiny go to a party she don't look like a dog and embarrass turn. Just ha'ing a doc stick needles in her head ought to be worth 1.5 " percent Wed. these profound questions wf.l all be ed n. u'tirt. as we'.: as u: the ccled 1 re.-o- h. fr National Kiwuiter. And I commend ou our enhghtene,! vsr .; '. ne piece of "Th.r k sou. r.i aih ice :,.r Trump's gg nerdv" What is that : ' if ho mar ;r :;: of them, .agj the nii..ctiei savs. I'o vog take this man to be ' uv !a: i, wedded husband.' she ought to 1 OM' s.,.. ( v i Y v i::t ! lia-- t .it 1" per- - rl' Where to write lawmakers ."(" L',e- OA ' t... m ... ...M'S"-,- .. .i ) V, J oO'(" o ( ., , , , t , i .i .is e r.s r ,"p"; - ' .' 'U i I'm- - t. ' l.',i' I ."! ' . Gv" Sr .' lu-y-- i,sp C't'vp Bj s pio"f .. ' ,i W,lvi .i'f .'--- 'V M 'ci iii : .(.' J" -- v m-o- .ild'PSS ,t Ei. il ''j ruWjhinqic" .;' ..r ) - l. s .(."'. f . 0 C hp. 's uC;, I'pvs A ,i ,i- - S - Drug testing good it- g', 3 11 C - Working with the public is their job. His program randomly tests employees for drugs and if any are tested positive, it is the employers option to take action against them. The Utah Transit Authority has received positive feedback from this program. They know that they can guarantee safe driving to the public and that their business is secure. Since employees and managers are being tested too, they share in the responsibility of this effective program. No one can slip through it. I am glad drug abusers are being identified. We are taking risks if we allow them to handle jobs which affect public safety. It gives me security to know that something is being done about tliis problem; I compliment our public authorities! Christine Moss Orem Don't cut activities Editor: I have heard some people suggest cutting out all extracurricular activities from our schools. I realize that the state of Utah has a financial problem concerning the school system, however cutting out the high school extracurricular activities is not the best way or even a good way to save money. Most students have a deep pride in their schools and their accomplisliments in drama, debate, sports, clubs, music, etc. I know that I do. Through my four years of experience on the high school swim team. I've learned the best lessons that I could ever have been taught. I've learned how to be a leader, how to never give up, how to work hard and how to cooperate with people who are not always like myself. Being taught while sitting in a classroom and never actually trying anything is not even comparable to the real thing. Another solution, such as kids in school not being tax deductible and the money going to education, is available. There are plenty more alterantivcs if we all take the time to think a little bit harder about it. I urge the Legislature to think carefully before any rash decision is made alxuit cutting into the funds of these important educational programs. Kurvn Broston Orem Taylor to be missed as he begins journey Li-- t night, we saw him struggling there. In each of our hearts, we breathed a hold on. Phil, hold on. Our praver hearts were pleading we need ou here. Friends and faimh surrounded him, ;;, holding ,.ut their hopes n chance so Valiant nurses and doctors weri there him from the road ahtad Uring to One journey was ending: another was Mmn to beg.n Somehow, we could hear enthusiastic voice: "He. let me how vou the paths I've walked and uitr i., the wonderfu'. people I've met along the way." ae eagle floating in the sky. the shy deer and elk immobile on the trail watching us ;md the horses and the breathtaking, clean glory of it all. Oh. I know she would dear!) love this untouched, wilderness beauty ot God's handiwork." WILLIAM GARTH SEEGMILLER Our COMMUNITY FORUM -- Natural.;, titm. I can hear la- - c, t.df.t, smiling '.vu e telling stones of his h. uab'u! fanuh and the men and women an i liaur children of all races that he was going to miss for awhile. H:s bright, sky blue ees light up with visions of friends in Thailand, Chile. lru. Colorado. Nevada. Wuimmg : Those wonderful people." I ran hear turn sa with his faithful eice tingling in m ears and that light in his sky blue twinkling with love Oh. those' wonderful people, whose skin ma be tinted black, brown, yellow, tan or white loud him. too. for Bhil knew no race except the human race Allhoh he ioved his America with a deep. odi. abiding passion. d;;i , loud f. s W(,rhJ and a.l its pe, pic I 'n't we. p f, r me." I can hear h.m sa. ' hd up that little it.ill our ees i g S Fourth, I have the sense the governor and Editor: fall short of having the Legislature I have just returned from parent-teachvision of what needs to happen conference. And as usual, I was pleased to meet the parents of my students. I saw once educationally in Utah. The only people aware of what is going on educationally are again how interested they are in their some parents, some teachers and some children and their educational progress. students. Teachers know how futile it is to As I visited with them and I sensed their in one class. Parents teach 4C fifth appreciation for my efforts in behalf of their know that the graders not getting taught basics are sons and daughters, I realized soon I would to their younger cluldren to the same degree be voting whether or not to withhold servit was taught to their older ones when the ices. Several things have occurred to me classroom sizes were smaller. Those closest and I would like to share them. to the classroom know that Utah's education First, I am sure the state Legislature is needs a huge monetary infusion to sincere about wanting to fund education system from years of neglect and avoid an catch up more fully they know the reality of the of average or below averentire generation rhetoric regarding the long term investment age graduates. we must make in our children. They have Finally, I think that we educators have no some sense of understanding that whatever choice but to strike. The state leadership has is good for the teacher is good for the decided the way things are. Will student. What I am terribly afraid of is that already other than a baseball bat get their anjthing decided have is that there they already only We have to emphatically say, "No attention? so much they can do after all, there are more Find the funding somepromises! limited resources in Utah there are where! Make teaching a first class profesfew relatively taxpayers and many students. sion! Our kids can't wait any longer! What I am afraid they will tell teachers, "We is good for Utah's teachers is good for have done everything we can do we have Utah's students!" I don't think the Legislasought sources of funding everywhere we ture and the governor have the will to do know this is all there is. We are sonn', needs to be done. Those parents I saw what it's the best we can do."? conference tonight at the parent-teache- r Second. I am afraid there are many want their children to be doing averdon't teachers in Utah who miss the point. Clearly work. the teaching profession attracts service-minde- d age With students and with their parents, is idealists who feel they can contribute to society. These individuals truly care average good? Isn't it ironic that it is our to achieve the national average teachabout their kids and are pleased to see goal within five years? What a pitiful er's salary learning taking place in tneir students. They expectation. have not entered the profession for moneOur children deserve to be taught by a tary reasons, and so are uncomfortable that has been properly funded. I system for their raises, asking striking, "feathering there are enoug'i committed teachers hope own nests" when they should be serving. who can really see this. The baseball bat Third, the people of Utah and the Legislature have unwittingly taken advantage of the needs to be swung. Bob I'lilvy sendee oriented nature cf Utah's teachers. I Utah High School Science Facuitv have heard some interesting comments about teaching. "Anyone can teach. I do it every Sunday m church." "Teachers knew what they were getting into when they became teachers, so why are they Kd'.'or: they don't like it. they can leave. T i elimination of hazardous workers can There are p!ent of others wanting to teach here." be very beneficial to this community. Or. The bottom line is that Utah's teachers t'ntchfit Id's recent 'drug testing program are becoming increasingly disillusioned was incorporated into 30 businesses throughout Utah Valky. such as Seven Beaks 'Why should 1 value education when my Hesort and The Utah Transit Authority. impression is that nobody else does': i and ' ..ii,s -- qio'i ''O s G'" i"H C" " h.iu-$,.tto' .rrsr't ', ,'. dual's l'Ot,qO,,t tP S'S'P ' . H,. p, "i i " - for education. and Ut,.h. " , t'.i'' .lvill .... i, .., ... 'I . J...!'S ' "'I t c"l' r I" e, ..'.v. I . r l.,',,rr"'.e g ,i ' t r, r ..!.!,. I. I, ,i .1,10' j'i '.,.,,,i.i ... 0 r ..m' ol .go .', - under any circumstance this cannot be good Get your bats ready i fi.uied , Letters My jaw I THAT'S HOW LONG IT TOOK MR TO RUIN MY CKEES. H,. That old there for me. will y,;; tuea-e- ? h,,! loe!y lad man if ds oar ha; t mods tfvp h. r aim! while I'm l the snow and ice from away and sho-.eher walks and the h ;rt of ioreimess from old friend, there are her sou! You -t. need to hike and steep trails up there bridges I ne"d to help build to prepare tne was for tho-- e ,o,o are afraid the've lost their way " Not loi.g ao e rode at:p a mountain f,;m sitt.ng tall m the peak I i, in st.;i saddle in hi- - favorite hone. His snow "! white hair is rustling tn the breeze He gazes down at i id's !naut all around, drinking in tht w, n iermct of it all. then 1 his sinci r e. ho q.i.e. i;n-- t I '1 s,-- !!,.-!- .! d'Wi w i ri !ht ,;i emu:) h. t Ma ',- . "Gee. I wish - ! of lre-n p..,, .1 . ., ., i ., eus are filled with tears of sorrow this morning because Phil didn't make it through the night and just had to go on ahead along the trail we all must taki someday. Although the tears have closed my own eyes, my heart sees that lovai friend up the trad. I know I will trv to'be a more optimistic, thoughttul, kinder person becau.--e of him. Toda, my mmd and fingers cannot find suitable words to qu.te expnss mv gratitude for knowing him. The sorrows of someone else from my own hfe lung ago keep ringing in my ears, and these words exemplify our exuberant friend. Phillip A friend does not ask. Hoyden Taylor. may I carry your load, but has alreadv earned it far up the mad " Thanks Phil! Conw.unity Forum conuucn:.irics are unsolicited .irin lcs from rc.ulors a.'.H'Uf sul;rLs ( f current interest. Thcv are Herds in lcn.;:h ;i:hl)mit f fo I -- de trx! fciogrji.'i.g.i tr,f.n:i.,:,cn .nd . i.'iof.i cf the Ci'n'nbuUr ;.' I |