OCR Text |
Show s .>.‘:- t. - , C3 Monday. March 15, 1993 The Daily Herald more Lobbyists court lawmakers who ‘can’t be bought’ . SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Lobbyists, interest groups and companies showered Utah‘s 104 from lobbyists and interest groups or companies do not skew their decision-making. lawmakers with $191,893 in free- The Utah Hospital Association bies during 1992. according to SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A state disclosure records. group of Southern Utah University The favors amounted to more students have launched a campaign than $1.845 per lawmaker. or against a fledgling campus gay. about one-third the average annual lesbian and bisexual club. salary for the part-time job. The group is passing petitions Rep. Afton Bradshaw has fresh urging students and area business- memories of the influence ped— es to drop financial support of the dling. Cedar City school if the club is On the last day of the legislative sanctioned by the administration session this month, Bradshaw and allowed to compete for stu- pushed a bill to raise disposal fees dent-fee funds. for dangerous toxins so other states “They have the right to start a would find Utah a less desirable club,” said senior David Bayles, place to dump their hazardous 24, an aspiring lawyer who claims wastes. he has collected 25 to 50 signaShe faced some of the toughest tures. “We have a right to oppose lobbyists on Capitol Hill. who them." promised lawmakers coveted Utah The club, known as GLB, was Jazz tickets just before the vote. formed last winter quarter to pro-. “I’ve never fought such an army vide a social and support network in my life.” says the Salt Lake City for homosexual and bisexual stu- Republican, who won a $3.25 fee spent $1.400 last year on Jazz bas— ketball tickets to entenain lawmakers. Other interest groups provided them. [00. A lobbyist for the University of Utah spent $553 on golf fees last lion to such arts and cultural orga— nizations. Meanwhile, Southern Utah University treated four lawmakers and their families to tickets valued at City. The lawmakers were Sen. Scott Howell, D-Sandy; Sen. David Steele, R—West Point; Rep. Lloyd Frandsen, R-Salt Lake City, and Rep. Nancy Lyon, R-Bountiful. Among those who accepted free tickets to the Governor's Ball and Legislators’ Ball were Senate Pres— ident Arnold Christensen of Sandy; Senate Majority Leader Lane Beattie of West Bountiful; Senate Health and Environment Committee Chairman Stephen Rees of Salt Lake City; Executive Appropriations Committee CoChairman Sen. LeRay McAllister of Orem: and House Minority Whip Kelly Atkinson of West Jordan. Most lawmakers defend the favors. They say the freebies help bring them together with the state’s people and organizations, and ease the financial pain of serving in a part-time Legislature. “If my vote can be bought for a dents. Its faculty advisor, Ana hike rather than the $26.50 in- $962 for performances of “The $20 lunch, then I shouldn’t be up Dittmar. said most students on campus support it. crease she sought. “There were tons of Jazz tickets out there. " Most lawmakers say favors Merry Wives ofWindsor,” “King Lear" and other plays at the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar here,” says Rees, who also lets lobbyists pick up his golf fees from time to time. “It would boggle my Students against gay-lesbian group “Unfortunately, the ones year and offered university sports tickets totaling $2.981. Weber State University listed $2.608 in athletic event tickets. Ballet West invited lawmakers to see "Rosalinda" last winter at a cost of $5.400. and the Utah Symphony spent $3.400 serenading legislators and their guests with George Gershwin medleys. This winter, lawmakers passed a local- option tax that could mean $18 mil- mind if a lobbyist implied I owed him my vote. “The reality is that most of the legislators up here arejust trying to do their best to represent the inter— ests of their constituents.“ Adds Sen. John Holmgren. a retired businessman and Bear River Republican who runs a small ranch: “I don‘t make enough money here or in my business to pay $125 to go to the Governor‘s Ball. That‘s pan of the gratuity that I get paid here." en’t an ethical person. " Some see conflicts where others do not. Rep. Byron Harward. R—Prov0. let a lobbyist send him to a Jazz game once. Then he found out the tickets cost 580. “When 1 saw how expensive it was. I didn’t feel very good," he says. adding he no longer accepts such freebies. Critics share his discomfort. arguing favors undermine the public’s confidence in elected repre-I sentatives. It appears monied Like other lawmakers, Holmgren says such functions offer lawmakers a chance to get a one-onone education about the issues. Rep. Sara Eubank. D—Salt Lake City, says when she attended a Jazz game at the expense of the natural—gas industry. “They were not trying to convince us of any— thing. They didn‘t have any bills before us. They were trying to educate us.“ Still, she adds. “There’s a very fine line, and you have to be careful. You could abuse it if you wer- groups can buy influence with them. and that appearance is troubling. says Betsy Wolf. executive director of Utah Common Cause, a. public-interest watchdog. “We view lobbying as the giving of information." Wolf says. “And one can give information without providing meals or giving trips. "If you‘re not a legislator. no’ body’s handing you free Jazz tickets." she adds. “It’s because they want something: that‘s the bottom line." against it have gotten all the press,” she said. “Frankly, they are fanatics.” needed for plates SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The number of Utahns with handicapped-labeled license plates has taken a dip. now that motorists must get a doctors’ certification to have one. The number of handicapped-labeled license plates has dropped from 11,000 to under 10,000, said state Motor Vehicle Division director Rick Leimbach. The certification requirement went into effect at the beginning of the year. " State officials said there may have been some misuse of the plates and placards by people who were not disabled. But how much of the drop is due to misuse and how much is because motorists are slow to reapply is not clear. A 1992 state law added. for the first time, the requirement that doctors certify drivers or family members as having one of six disabilities. Poll says Leavitt has high approval ‘SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Less than three months into his tenure as Utah’s governor, Mike Leavitt has the support of a whop— ping 72 percent of Utahns, according to a new poll. And the 1993 Legislature, too. received high marks in a survey just completed by pollster Dan Jones & Associates for the Deseret News and KSL. .; Only 13 percent of those polled said they don‘t approve of Leavitt‘s performance. and 15 percent said they don't know. the first of the year. Jones surveyed 600 Utahns. and the survey results have a margin of error of 4 per- dent. Jones found that 55 percent ap- prove of the job lawmakers did during their 45-day general session that ended March 3. Twenty-five percent don‘t approve and 21 percent don’t have an opinion. .‘Stand-alone’ 9th Three of 10 Utah juvenile facilities are over-crowded SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The capital city's new baseball stadium is taking shape, on paper at least, even though Mayor Deedee Corradini still looking for the final $2 million to build it. A team of architects from Kansas City and Salt Lake City displayed a model and drawings Indeed. the Kansas City firtn of Hellmuth. Obata and Kassabaum hired along with Valentiner Architects — also designed the Baltimore facility. But Craig Elliott, one of the firm’s representatives. said the comparison isn’t completely accurate. “It‘s really apples and oranges.“ he said. noting the Salt 000-seat. double—decker stadium Lake stadium will be much that will replace aging Derks smaller. Field. The most distinctive feature “But this one will be like are four pointed towers, which Camden in that it has an urban designers hope will make the ball flavor and light coming through field a landmark. For baseball the upper deck," Elliott said. enthusiasts, the right-field wall “We’re capturing the charm of will attach to the stadium at an an old-time park without the abrupt angle, making a brief problems of an old-time park. " 315-foot temptation for homePlans include a year—round run hitters. restaurant in the corner of left “This is a mini Camden field. as well as large grassy Yards,” said deputy mayor berms in the outfield — large Brian Hatch, referring to the her- enough for up to 3,000 additional alded stadium that opened in Bal- people to sit. putting the stadium’s capacity at 15.000. timore last year. Friday of the $18.4 million. 12.- Homeowners SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Residents behind Derks Field say Salt Lake City is not playing fair in trying to force them out of their homes. City officials paid visits Friday to six homeowners whose lots will sit in the new stadium‘s left field. The city made offers the residents must accept or reject within l2days. “They have threatened us." said Beatriz Gonzalez. who has called a neighborhood meeting for Monday and contacted a law— yer to help. “Take it or leave it. That‘s what they told us. That’s fair? That’sjust?" Last week, the City Council voted to buy the homes now rather than wait until it has the $18 million needed to build the new stadium. Razing the homes and three small businesses in the neighborhood would cost nearly $1 million, the city estimates. The appraisals were fair, if hastily offered. said Roger Black, the city‘s managementservices director. The city hired The City Council voted to approve the basic design Thursday. The city plans to tear down Derks Field, as well as seven nearby houses, in early spring and begin construction. The city has to finish the new stadium by April 1994 to fulfill its obligation to the Triple-A Portland Beavers, who have agreed to move to Salt Lake in 1994 if the ball park is ready. Meanwhile, Corradini returned from meetings in Washington, D.C., Friday to renew her search for a private donor. She has offered to name the stadium after anyone willing to con— tribute a large sum. Various businesses already have contrib— uted a combined $1 million, but Corradini needs $2 million more. So far. the city, Salt Lake County and the state have agreed to contribute about $16 million combined. not happy with city offers an independent appraiser to determine the property values. “Our acquisition people approached it professionally.” Black said Saturday. “We have no interest in taking advantage of the situation. Our intent is to offer a fair price. ” But residents are skeptical. The city offered Gonzalez and is too far away. West Valley is full of crime and Salt Lake’s property values are way too high," she said. Gonzalez‘s next-door neighbor, James Crawford. said he felt snubbed by the city’s visit. Officials offered him $50,900 and told him to take it or leave it. her husband. Ernesto. $59,100 he said. They explained the city for their house. The appraisal likely will offer him less if he came to about $46,000, the cou— turns this offer down, he said. Another neighbor. Saray Mar— ple said. The city added $13,000 for closing costs and other ex— penses. Gonzalez said the sum not only is low and ignores recent home improvements such as a remodeled basement and a new underground sprinkler system. “The city says its offers are generous," she said. “If the offers are so good. why don‘t they want us to hire our own apprais— ers'.’ It’s a scam. " House—hunting has left them glum. she said. The couple has looked in Magna. West Valley and Salt Lake City. “But Magna tinez, said “No one of us can take on the city, but together, who knows?" The city is under no obligation to negotiate a settlement. Exercising its right of eminent domain. the city can take private property for public use as long as it gives just compensation to the owner, Black said. “We‘re looking for a deal that will be equitable for both sides, ” he said. “If they want to hire counsel, we’ll be happy to deal with him. If they turn us down, it will trigger a court process.‘ ’ ROY (AP) — Pat Lambert. the director of the MOWEDA Youth Home, appears slightly embarrassed as he walks by a mattress lying on the floor of a small. sparse room in the juvenile detention center. Such makeshift beds are common at the facility's boy’s wing. On this day, about every other room has a mattress on the floor. “Very often. we have four in a room. At one point about a year and a half ago, we had to throw mattresses on the floor of the gym because we had no other place to put them,” he said. The thin, narrow mattress on the linoleum floor illustrates the prob— lem facing Lambert and other ju— venile center directors: they are out of room. At least three of the state's 10 juvenile detention centers are overcrowded. and most crowded are those in Salt Lake City and Roy. said Tim Holm, state Division of Youth Corrections director. The Legislature cut a $4.3 million juvenile detention center planned for Davis or Weber county from the state‘s bonding list. That will force officials like Lambert to battle congestion for at least another year. Already. some boys are housed in the area reserved for girls. he said. “We make sure there is no communication. but we have to make room," Lambert said. MOWEDA has a maximum capacity of 34, but occupancy exceeds that limit nearly 60 percent of the time. Lambert said. Even when there are only 34 residents, things are tight. he said. The 21-year-old building was built to house 17. Second beds were later added to every room. doubling the limit to 34. “All the support services in the building the cafeteria. gym. school room cannot accommodate that many kids.“ Lambert said. All the meals except breakfast have to be brought in because the center’s kitchen area is too small. The school‘s classroom is not large enough to house even half the students. An overflow classroom has been set up in a corner. separated from the main eating and visiting area by partitions. But this also fills up daily, so some students have to sit at tables in the main area. Kids are also rotated to the gymnasium. which can hold about 15 people at a time. Daily counseling sessions on subjects such as anger control. drug use and sex respect have to be held whenever and wherever instructors can find an unoccupied corner. “We’ve used every ounce of space and tried to be as creative as we can be." said Mary Lynn Chino, who has taught at the center for nine years. She is one of three fulltime teachers. “It is very difficult. They don’t get indiyidual attention. It puts stress on everyone. We used to have one teacher for every eight students. now it’s about one to 15,” Chino said. Many of the youth are behind in school and individual attention is crucial, she said. Karen Mendelson, a counselor, said the most difficult part is telling residents she does not have room for them. “Kids will come up to me and say. ‘Karen, can I be in your group today?’ and I have to deny them. " she said. Overcrowding puts particular stress when it comes to housing youths accused of serious crimes. “There are kids who are alleged to have committed murder, and others alleged to have shoplifted who are here for violating probation." Lambert said. , “You don‘t want to put a 10- year-old shoplifter in with a child charged with a sexual offense." cut on LOVI my» 9.5151895 m $2595; l’OilTABLESTEAu~ communion 4' 2 noous 811.95%??3: 1 To register any public comment concerning agenda items, please call 379—6120 and leave a message on the automatic answering system. Comments will be transmitted to Council members grades considered first “stand-alone" ninth grade in the state. In its monthly meeting here Thursday, the lS-member board U library ranks low, BYU’s below median Brigham Young University. the SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The only other Utah school on the list, University of Utah‘s Marriott Library moved up in the rankings of ranks 70th. up one position from peer research libraries. but it still ranked 92nd out of 108 according patterns of delivery“ to form 'yjinth-grade articulation centers, othere ninth-graders will be sepa- to a list produced by the Association of Research Libraries. While 17th from the bottom was low, it was four places better than the U. scored in the association’s {rated from both junior highs and 1990-91 list. ‘agreed to let Superintendent Larry Jensen “step out of the traditional ‘Iiigh schools. " " The approval came after a board subcommittee unanimously recommended approval of the concept. However, Cache administraqrs must still work out details with to Office of Education staff and iggt approval on the different com' nents, said spokeswoman Eileen . richer. “It is kind of hard to say there is 9.90 ninth-graders beginning in mgust 1994. sultant at the association. ,flktrict will create two “failurejflte“ centers for the district‘s l.- last year. “It would be nice to be in the middle section. say the 505." says A. Dean Larsen. BYU’s assocmte .‘1 94th respectively. The list‘s top ten are dominated by Ivy League universities, such as Harvard. Yale, Columbia and Cornell. Two nearby Western universi- DATE: MARCH 16, 1993, 7:00 P.M. 1. Opening Ceremonies a. invocation b. Pledge oi All lance c. Employee oi t Month — Loon Deltlal. En ineering (Preoontod by Provo City Employee Association Vice President. Betty riggo) 2. Approval of Minutes I. Council Meeting Fobnrory 23. 1993. ties scored beneath the U.: Colo- university librarian. ”It doesn’t rado State University at 96th and look like that will happen. here or at the U., in the foreseeable future.“ The Provo school plans to cut Washington State University at a trend after only one year,“ says $200,000 from its journal-subJulianne Hinz. an assistant director scriptions budget by the end of the at the library. “But we would like year. Larsen said. Most of the 1,000 journals targeted are either to hope so. " The ranking is a composite low demand or are carried in nearscore measuring the relative size of by libraries. “1 don‘t believe it will have a member schools. It considers volumes. serials, staff. budget and ac- major impact. “ Larsen said. Meanwhile. the U. is also gainquisitions, but does not reflect the quality of library‘s collection or its services. “Bigger is not always better.“ adds Nicola Deval. a program con- :ZUnder Cache's proposal, the PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA 3. Consent Agenda — no items. 4. Action Agenda a. Proposed Ordinance 1993-. An ordinance changing the mono classification or root rty located on the west side oi independence Avenue irom 8211 North to ho Provo River irom a Light Manufacturing Zeno (M-t) to a Planned Manufacturing Zone (M-P). Rivorgrove Neighborhood or Provo City. ' . 94th. Man shot, killed Ordinance 1993-. An ordinance revising the Morrcroot PUD Plot “1" ' b.P amending Lot 51 and a portion oi Lot 50. Plot "F". lllvoroido Neighborhood. Provo City. c. Joint Public Hart ROY (AP) —- An 18-year-old ment A they named a 21-year—old who lives at the home as a suspect. The 106 for average salaries. This year, it scored 90th. 106th and The shooting occurred about 8 man was released after questioning beginning and median salaries, and late Saturday night. however. pm. Saturday. of the Provo Municipal Council and tho Provo Redevelop- rig Provo Redevelopment Project Am 05: ng Blight study. 2 Presentation oi 3 Public Comment p Ordinance 1903-. An ordinance looming, the redevelopment plan tor tho Provo Redevelopment Project Aron rs n t o lclal redevelopment plan lot the Provo City Redevelopment Project Am 05. Resolution 1993-. Resolution authorizl and dlrocllng publication oi the ordinance adopting the redevelopment P t Am 05. release the name of the victim, but ing ground on salaries. Last year. the school ranked dead last in its roga 1 mm and recent-tion oi Redevelopment Plan ior Project Area rs. man was shot once with a shotgun and killed over the weekend at a Roy residence. Roy Police on Sunday would not floor SALINA. Utah (AP) — The Utah Board of Education tentative_“1y has approved a request from Cache School District to create the V‘ ‘Note from doctor’ Plans unveiled for baseball park . Questions for the Mayor and Council. . Requests for Information. . Meeting adjourned. The next Municipal Council Meeting will be rm on ' March 23. ms. at 7:00 pm. in the Council Chambers. 351 West Contor. Provo. _ union otherwise noticed. |