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Show B Obituaries B2 Q Opinions B4 O Entertainment B7 Go O The Daily Herald Wednesday, October 16, 1996 'bwo council reverses dance hall vote Family busy arranging my marriage Last weekend I found out that I'm going to get engaged over Christmas. How do I know this? Because my mom told me. Actually, it went something like this: Mom: "Have I found the guy for you!" Me (silently): "Probably not." Me (out loud): "Ohr Mom: "He's tall. He's dark. He's handsome." Me: "I know that guy he's already taken." , Jo-An- ns try i By MARK EDDINGTON The Daily Herald City Council members demonstrated Tuesday, once again, that their decisions lately, like science, are forever tentative this time by reversing their earlier vote amending a city ordinance to allow another dance hall in Provo. Passed by a 3 vote Sept. 7, the amended ordinance relaxed city requirements governing the locations of indoor entertainment clubs, thus paving the way for Bryan Mur-doc- k to proceed with plans to open a dance hall at 250 N. 100 West. But on Oct. 2, the day before the ordinance was to be published in the newspaper and thus become law, the council voted 2 to reconsider their vote. Ostensibly, there was new information that warranted a thorough revisiting of the issue. Some of the information was gleaned by Councilman Dennis Poulsen, who went on a walking tour of the neighborhood with the wife of an LDS bishop who spearheaded resident opposition to Murdock's dance hall. There was little new information shared 4-- 1 5-- at Tuesday's meeting. Poulsen cited a groundswell of opposition to Murdock's proposed club and added that several Planning Commission members, if given the opportunity, would change their vote recommending approval of the amended ordinance. Planning commissioners earlier voted 0 recommending approval of the amended ordinance. "The way the original ordinance was written, it was about impossible to find a location for a dance hall in this city." said Assistant Community Development Director Richard Secrist. explaining to the council why the Planning Commission voted the way it did. Councilman Mark Hathaway, who conducted his own walking tour of the area, said he had seen no new compelling reason to change his earlier vote foi the amended ordinance. He noted that the proposed dance hall would be located in the Central Business District, which is zoned for that kind of establishment. He further stated that most residents in the neighborhood that the dance 5-- hall would impact moved there after Sears and Smith's Food and Drug Center were already there. "This has become so controversial." Hathaway said. "I think the issue has become whether we want dance halls or not. It's not whether the neighborhixd wants a dance hall, but if there is any place for a dance hall in Provo." Also speaking in support of a dance hall was Councilman Karl Thalmart, who said the area is already one of the mosf commercial in Provo. "I think we need to support this. I think it is a wholesome thing for our youth." he said. But Poulsen insisted that as neighborhood-friendly council member he could not in good conscience do anything that would put a neighborhood at risk. He did not specify how a dance hall would jeopardize the area. Councilman Greg Hudnall said a dance hall in the Harris Building would not be right for the neighborhood and Council j Chairwoman Jane Carlile said although the district allows for multiple uses, a dance hall would not be compatible w ith residents and other businesses in the area. After the council's vote reversing their earlier approval, a dejected Murdock called the outcome a victory for the neighborhood but a loss for the community. "You'd like to think everyone on the council did their homework and this is what is right for the community." he said "What really happened is the needs of six to eight homes in the area w ere met. but the needs of the youth of the community were nut " Murdock ran The Palace dance club on 900 East for more than a decade until his lease on the building expired last December. He said w ith no place else to locate his business, his dreams of operating a wholesome club in Provo are probably over. He said he was willing to work w ith the neighbors to address their concerns about parking and other potential problems, but their only compromise was no compromise. "You tell me that Smith's Food King doesn't have any impact on the neighborhood," Murdock said. "They are open hours a day. And how many homes did they bulldoze to build that?" 4-- 2 2-- Board OKs proposal on school choice policy On Being Single Mom: "No he's not. He's your age, he has his own home, he's successful, he doesn't have a girlfriend, and your brother and both think he's perfect for you." Me (silently): "Well if THEY think he's the one, he MUST be the one." Me (out loud): "One problem I live here, not there." Mom: "Yes, BUT you're going to be here for Christmas. You can go out with him the day you get in, then the next day, and the next day. and the day after that." Me: "What about opening Chrijfrnas presents?" Mom: "Oh, you can do that wifh him. I told you he has his he's sure to have own home his own tree, too. And we'll make sure he knows your name beforehand, for the stocking." Me (silently): "Two sets of Christmas presents? This might not be so bad." Me (out loud): "I don't know...." Mom: "This will be great. You can stay here until you get married, then move into his house. I. ll have your brother make all the arrangements." J Eventually the conversation turned to other topics (the wedding, the reception, the finder's fee), and afterward I didn't give the matter another thought. j Until two days later, when I called again. Just for the record, I Wasn't calling to find out more ijbout my betrothed OR my future wedding plans (as you'll recall, my brother was taking care of all tpat). I actually had something Entirely different to discuss, but before I could say two words ("Hi there"), my mom jumped right in. Mom: "I have more news about Jason your beloved." Me: "Who?" ; ! Mom: "Your beloved Jason." Me (silently): "What in the orId is she talking about?" ! Me (out loud): "What in the world are you talking about?" Mom: "You know, Jason tie one you're going to marry." Me (silently): "Ohhhh. THAT j Jason." j Me (out loud): "So that's his name?" Mom: "Yes. And he's a CPA. He's smart, he's successful, he's he's everything we CUTE want." Me: "Oh, really...." I j Mom: "By the way, would you mind if your dad and I don't pick jjou up at the airport? Jason could go instead, and that would give you and him a perfect chance to get acquainted before your first date, two hours later." Me: "So when am I going to ; see the family?" Mom: "Oh, we'll see you But first we'll see to it that you dnd Jason get married. But don't , vVorry about that. We'll handle all the arrangements." And they say arranged marriages are dead. Ha. Dinosaurs are dead, the age of chivalry is dead, ELVIS is dead, but arranged marthey're very much alive. riages Especially if you have a mother who's desperate for grandchildren. Of course, some single people out there may still be unaware of this fact. People like Jason, the nice, young, unsuspecting CPA who is going to spend every waking moment with me this Christmas. He just doesn't know it yet. Sure, Jason might be a little surprised when my brother starts asking him for his ring size and tux measurements, but I'm sure he'll be pretty excited, too. After all, it's not every day you're arranged to be married. tt sister-- in-law By BRANDY ANDERSON The Daily Herald The Provo Disdict Board of Education has released its proposed school choice policy to be reviewed by the community before the board meets again in November. When the school board met in March to determine w hich student-coul- d and could not attend the new school, the Centennial Middle School almost turned out to be more of a headache than an asset. "This policy is trying to be equitable to T Daily Herald PhotoJohn Blodgeil i J I ! I all." - - , ,, helicopter arrives at University on Saturday evening during "Test Your Detector Week" activities. Fire departments A life-flig- ht set up displays and spon- sored activities such as propane tree burns and a helicopter exhibition, in Orem and Provo Demonstrations by units from Orem includ-Ma- ll ed a demonstration of Truck One, from which this photo was taken. life-flig- ht Official says fire week made difference By TOM McHOES The Daily Herald Fire officials throughout Utah County are hoping the events of 'Test Your Detector Week" will result in an increased use of smoke detectors. The nationally-sponsore- d week, which ran last weekend, featured through departments from throughout the county coordinating activities with the intention of educating the community regarding the importance of smoke detectors. "I tfvnk the week really made a difference," said Dave Eckersley, who coordinated the week's events for the Orem Department of Public Safety. "A lot of people showed up and it made them think seriously about getting detectors or replacing their batteries if they already have smoke detectors." Departments in Orem and Provo set up displays and sponsored activities such as propane tree burns and a helicopter exhibition. Both agencies set up displays information and distributed regarding fire safety at University Mall in Orem. In addition to the fire prevention festivities, the Provo Fire Department conducted an awards ceremony to honor department personnel past and present. Presentations for firefighter of the year and dispatcher of the year were made to Keii' . all and life-flig- ht Christie Adarr. respectively. Another award honoring the oldest living Provo fire chief was presented to Earl T. Finlayson. He was given a special centennial badge in recognition of his service as lire chief from 939-- 1 949. An estimated 2.000 people attended the festivities in Provo, an encouraging figure that makes fire officials think more attention will be put toward detector use. "Smoke detectors have definitely proven their worth over the years and now they are so cheap, there really is no excuse not to hav e one." said Rod Jones. Provo fire chief. To ensure thai those w ho may not be able to afford a detector can obtain one. the Provo Fire 1 Department has put together a program in which those who qualify can receive a free detector from the department. "We have hundreds of them. We w ill even install them if people want us to." Jones said. "That is how important we think it is that people have them." National numbers back him up. Nearly 60 percent of fire deaths occur in homes with no detectors, according to National Fire Protection Association studies. "It's a good theme for us." said Eckersley. "A lot of people have to have smoke detectors by law. But the big thing is maintenance. People forget to change their batteries and things like that." Packer speaks about unwritten principles By KAREN HOAG The Daily Herald Principles that aren't found in the scriptures or even in church handbooks were addressed Tuesday at the weekly devotional at Brigham Young University. Speaking was Elder Boyd K. Packer, member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints, and the Acting President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles since he was set apart in June of 1994. "I speak today to you as a teacher," Elder Packer told the students and community members in attendance. As a former seminary and institute teacher, Packer likes to teach "basic, simple truths in the most understandable way." He described principles as rules and enduring truth that can become an anchor for people. Packer said the principles he was talking about are not from the scriptures or even in a church handbook, but they are in line with those sources. "They are ordinary things that every member of the church should know. They are not written anywhere; they are not taught in classes," Packer said. The apostle hoped everyone had a basic testimony that God is the Father, Jesus is the Christ, the Holy Ghost inspires people and that the church has been restored from the primitive church. "In addition, there's another source through our experience and observation we learn the unwritten order of things. Be alert to them. They will increase your ability and value to the Lord. He has said, 'My house is a house of order.' See that all things are done in order. Be diligent: thereby win the prize." Packer feels that the "unwritten order of things" improves meetings and refreshes the spirit so that all may remain in tune. He added that "it will establish a condition where members will be inspired to solve their own problems." The general authority suggested the follow ing illustrations as being among the unwritten order of things: The one who presides in a meeting sits on the stand or at the front near the person who is conducting. The first counselor sits on the right and the second counselor sits on the left of the person pre- - fit Matheson, president, Provo School Board A majority of Canyon Crest Elementary School students who wanted to go to Centennial, because it was the closest school to their home, had been assigned to Fairer Middle School. Parents protested to the school board and a lottery was held. Some parents ended up happy, others left angry and law suits were threatened during school board meetings. On Tuesday, to protect the district in the future, the school board approved its proposal which will go out to district residents for comment. "This is trying to be equitable to all." said board President Kenneth Matheson. The school choice policy is designed to let parents have a say in where their child goes to school as long as their choice does not adversely affect the school. With the large number of students transferring from Farrer to Centennial at the start of the year, parents were worried programs that Farrer offered would be cut because of a lower student enrollment. The school board will take that problem into consideration. "It is the policy of Provo City School District to support and promote student choice of a school or program when that choice does not negatively affect the resident school andor the receiving school." the document states. Students who wish to attend a school different than their designated school must still go through an application process which will be available from Jan. 2. 1997 until Jan. 31. 1997. The dates will change each year. All exceptions will be determined during the time frame, but the district will take into account "special need" applicants, or those who have abnormal requests after the deadline has passed. "What we hope to do is capture the law and the rules within this document." said Drew Bolander. who helped to form the school choice policy in written form. "We want to help families wherever it's feasible and possible to do so." The public may respond to the school boaid's school choice procedure at the next meeting in November w hen the policy w ill be voted on alter community input is . I' heard. : Hi h Daily Herald PhotoMatthew R. Smith Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Saints addresses BYU students Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y and faculty during a devotional at the Marriott Center on Tuesday afternoon. Elder Packer spoke about unwritten principles of the LDS Church. siding. In addition, if the presiding officer speaks, he needs to do it at the end to clarify anything else that was said. We do not aspire to calls nor do we ask to be released. Packer said to presuppose that the call is from the Lord. In the service of the Lord one learns it is not important where you serve, but how. If a circumstance comes up, the person should meet with priesthood authority and talk about it. We need to know w here to go Kenneth for counsel or blessings. The person in need should first go to the father in the home. If that's not possible then go to the home teacher. For counsel, members need to go to their bishop. "We don't go to someone higher for a more inspired blessing. The father is there it's his right and duty to Packer said. preside," Revelation in the church comes from above. Revelation confines itself to the administr- ates PACKKK, Page B2) |