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Show 4A Emery County Prog ress Wednesda y, November 19, 1984 m jjt is? Has il c4nm h 55 not appropriate for Utah Coming full circle Guett editorial Considerable furor was generated recently when the Utah Department of Transportation reported that for the first time, speed count statistics showed that more than 50 percent of the motorists traveling Utah's highways were exceeding the 55 mile per hour speed limit. The annual speed monitoring report for fiscal year 1986 now shows that the state of Utah Is. officially out of compliance regarding 55 mile an hour speed compliance as required by federal statute. According to the report, 50.7 percent (adjusted percent) are exceeding the 55 mile an hour speed limit. This means that the state of Utah will now oin other states, primarily In the West, who either have been or will this year be out of compliance. The federal law requires certain sanctions to be Imposed which could result In the loss of $10 million of highway funding to the state of Utah over a three year period. Numerous letters to the editor and other comments received by the Department of Public Safety have argued the various merits and of the 55 mph speed limit. In view of those concerns and wide divergence of opinion that seem to exist, not only In Utah but nationally, regarding "55," would like to offer my views as the state's chief executive. Most of us have probably forgotten that the 55 mph limit was originally enacted as a temporary fuel conservation measure. Subsequently, Congress made the speed limit permanent because of apparent safety benefits. In the year following the enactment of "55" the number of highway fatalities declined by about 17 percent. However, decline in travel, as well as other factors, also contributed to this improved highway safety record. Enactment of the national maximum speed limit in 1974 represented a definite departure from the historical public policy regarding regulation of highway travel speeds. States have always, in peacetime at least, controlled motor vehicle speeds. It is this issue which is troublesome to me, quite apart rom the arguments about highway safety. It seems Davis W. by Larry By GOVERNOR NORMAN BANGERTER Because a woman named Gladys decided to have a nervous breakdown, our band broke up In 1969. We were a small town group with a very '60s name The Executioners. But we were much less Impressive In concert than was our name. Our time was good, but It was short. We ended up going nowhere as we went In different directions: marriage, college, a tire shop In Ogden, and to Nampa with an insane mother. Although I put the drums away deep In a dusty attic, I never left those days completely behind. I still know the lyrics to nearly every Paul Revere and Raiders' tune ever cut Into a record, and I sometimes find myself playing "Wipe Out" with fork and spoon at the dinner table. With such a background, Is It any wonder that I am excited about the resurgence of '60s rock and roll? We're seeing It In raisin commercials and we're hearing It on the non-merit- radio. Last week I bought two magazines. Each had an article about the comeback of music and musicians well known two decades ago. An article in "Newsweek" tells us about the recent success of Paul Simon, Steve Wlnwood, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, the Moody Blues, the Beach Boys and Aretha Franklin. And In "Rolling Stone," a record review piece Includes a of "The Best of Sam The Sham section on the and the Pharaohs." The review includes a picture of the album, and I Immediately recognized it as one in my own record collection. It must have been one of the first records I ever bought. Many of the musicians popular today were touring the county back in the days when was hot on the trail of the concert circuit. I remember going to my first concert as a teenager. It was at Lagoon and featured Jefferson Airplane which had a hit record "White Rabbit." A friend and I drove from Idaho to Salt Lake City to this psychedelic rock band and its radical lead singer Grace Slick whom I remember asking us, "Doesn't anybody dance I I anymore?" Twenty years later, Jefferson Airplane is gone, but the Starship has surfaced with a hit song, "We Built This City," as well as a hit album. There, too, is Grace Slick, looking a bit matronly as she belts out tunes for the '80s. I was also in the Salt Palace when Creedence Clearwater Revival came to town along with Ike and Tina Turner. That was just a couple of years after the concert at Lagoon. John Fogerty of Creedence ripped through the group's hits like a 33 rpm played at 45. He stood for two hours in the spotlight, tapping his toe to "Proud Mary," "Down On the Corner," "Fortunate Son," and "Who'll Stop the Rain." His flannel shirt was like my own, and his tight, worn Levis gave us a sense of austerity. John is back now with "Put Me In Coach" and "Old Man Down the Road," and his newest album "Eye of the Zombie." CCR is gone, but not John. Gone also is Ike Turner, but Tina has certainly been a force in the 1980s with her baritone love songs. As for Steve Winwood, remember singing "Fresh of one tunes his hit with Traffic some 20 years Garbage," ago, while I stood in the shower of the high school locker room after our football team had defeated the Sugar City Beet Diggers. A couple of years later, saw Winwood in concert with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker in a group called Blind Faith. After that, he disappeared. Then a few months ago heard a song in the contemporary style by I I I Winwood. Next thing I know. I'm buying a Steve Winwood record for my wife. It's funny. Kids today go to great lengths to see these groups and people in concert and to buy their records while many of us have their music and ticket stubs from their concerts from 20 years ago. Rock and roll never dies, guess, but sometimes it goes into limbo. One thing have to admit though. When used to blast the walls in the basement of my parents' home with the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Cream and so many other bands, every once in awhile, I'd slip my dad's Glen Miller album onto the turntable. wonder if the Big Band music will make a resurgence? Perhaps if ZZ Top recorded "String of Pearls" Miller's legacy would be rekindled. On the other hand, he might just roll over in the grave. I I I I s undamentally inappropriate that the federal government should be involved in a matter that has so historically been a state responsibility. The folly of the present law is that application of the national maximum speed limit has varying applications hroughout the counfry. The need to reduce the speeds of vehicles in the crowded turnpikes and interstates of the East is hardly the same as the situation existing in the West, where one can travel miles of interstate without encountering a curve in the road and only an occasional fellow traveler. No doubt Anyone who travels the Utah Interstate system, and even the more populous Wasatch Front, knows that vltually nobody travels at 55 mph. Notwithstanding national and local polls, which seem to Indicate that the majority of the people support "55," our driving practices present quite a different picture. The point Is, Westerners generally do not support In practice the 55 mph speed limit. It Is violated openly and with Impunity every day of the year. The Department of Public Safety annual report for enforcement of the national maximum speed limit shows that for the current year 127,194 citations have been written for violation of the "55" speed limit and Issued 37,157 warnings. With regard to citations, this represents an 8.28 percent Increase over the same time last year. The opponents of any attempt to change "55" have been led by Rep. James Howard, N. J., the powerful chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Howard has vowed that as long as he Is chairman, the 55 mph speed limit will never be changed. To arguments that "55" simply does not accommodate the practical and geographical realities of the West, he responds perfunctorlally that the tax dollars of the good citizens of New Jersey go to build the Interstate systems In Wyoming and Utah, and we will just have to live with "55." Paradoxically, it is this same Eastern block of powerful legislators who are all too willing to export the nation's nuclear waste to the Western states In recognition of our appropriate geographical and population sparsity." A resolution passed by the western governors, which I supported is, In my judgment, a reasonable and rational approach to resolving this problem. Part of that resolution suggests that speed limits in excess of 55 mph be allowed on some carefully selected rural interstate highway systems. It is my opinion that the effect of increasing the speed limit on Utah's rural interstates would not have a proportional impact on safety. The interstate systems are our safest roads. They are built for speeds in excess of 55 mph and in almost every instance are divided highways with few critical turns or structural Impediments. In short, we need a sane and rational approach to speed restrictions and speed enforcement in this state. Certainly 55 mph or slower is appropriate on undivided highways in this state. Indeed, 55 mph seems wholly appropriate in the congested interstate system of the Wasatch Front. It is critical that this issue be resolved in the national Congress. Utah is quite capable of making those judgments, and we do not need the federal government dictating highway policy for the unique geography of the Western United States. An education on education crazy at home are driving the they wish. This is their chance to put anything they want on teacher crazy at school. We see for the first time our Its always a revelationpaper. No one checks their spelling, children as they appear to speaking to your childrens teachers. School is the part of a others. Teachers sometimes grammar or handwriting. They childs life his parents can paint a surprising portrait of the are faced with a blank sheet of never really know about. We child that we think we know so paper, a pencil and the freedom of expression. well. Teachers discover talents hope each morning as we send The purpose? To open the them out the door that theyre parents might never see in their of creativity and comworld children. reasonably Parents conferences are munication to students who may happy and act with some inotherwise be so in awe of the where I learn the why behind telligence while away from us. When they come back in the the who, what, where and when rules of grammar and punctuation they never write or tap door at night they bombard us my children report. Its a good with news of the day. It comes in thing to get the whys when their ability for expression. At least once a week, an adult Guess what! bulletins, not children, attend Huntington It documentaries. because is there gives lengthy says to. me, Thats the inElementary us a glimpse into the schoolday, formation. You write it, I cant often a new program or apdo that kind of thing. but reveals little about what proach to education on trial. Ive on hour after there seem childrens teachers really goes always believed writing is a My hour until the bus finally brings universal ability, like speaking. to have an attitude of exthem home at night. ploration into the world of a Some are more skilled than Parents conferences are childs potential. I often envy others, but all can write. Yet, bulletins too, but far more the innovation in their schooling education methods that teach revealing about what goes on in that was never part of my own. grammar and spelling at the This past week I discovered the classroom. Here we find out expense of creativity have left how much homework the kids and children their my many with a phobia of that classmates are writing in blank sheet of paper. actually have in contrast with how much they are telling us Mrs. Piacitellis first graders journals every morning at we find Here the These journals are their have. school. have no such phobia. Their they same quirks that drive Mom own, to share with others, only if writings about Halloween were words. They will have plenty of time to learn grammar and will relish it more, if writing is fun. If they tire of revisions, they will tire of writing and all that creativity will be lost. Another generation will be saying, You write it. I cant do that kind of thing. course is approximately $15. This is a Community Education program and will be monitored booksigning and poetry reading session on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland Library. By ROSANN Staff writer FILLMORE well-mannere- d, creative, direct and full of imagery (green goblins eating rocks, etc.). The crayon scrawled illustrations were not as exciting as the pictures they painted with words. Their spelling was unbelievably readable, anyone who thinks kids dont understand phonics should read these words spelled the way they sound. Mrs. Piacitelli voiced her concern that in writings other than journals, the students are asked to make several revisions for grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting. I hope the teachers decide to reduce the emphasis on revisions in their language program, to let the kids explore the world of bulletin board Craft Fair Emery County Food Service Association is holding a Christmas Craft Fair, Nov. 22, 1986, at the high school cafeteria. Those interested in setting up a table please contact Louise at 381-51- or Virginia at 748-510- 9. Jackets of spirit Cheese distribution Cheese distribution for the unemployed and who are 59 years old and younger will be Thursday, Nov. 20 at the usual places and times in Ferron and Emery and at the senior citizens in Castle Dale low-inco- and Huntington. Stake dance Messiah rehearsals Womens weight lifting semi-form- Self-ima- ge al at 10 p.m. seminar The Winners Circle, a course the skills and techniques used in changing to acpowerful complish any goal, will be presented Nov. 28 and 29 at the Huntington Stake Center. It is sponsored by the single sisters of the Huntington Stake and there is a fee. For more information call 7 or Rehearsals will begin for The Messiah Nov. 30 at the Castle Dale Stake Center at 8 p.m. and will continue Thursdays and Sundays through November. Everyone is invited. Women interested in a weight lifting class at the high school are invited to attend the first session to be held Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. in the ECUS weight room. Cost of the eight-week , 22 2-- Christensen, 97; Ellowease Curtis, 94; Olive 92; also Irene Beers, Elvie Stevens, Luella Wiscomb, Lucille Grange and Ludene Jewkes. Hunt, es 687-927- 9, 687-938- from 4 p.m. They invite everyone to come and help make the event a happy one. They will be honoring James Louvell, 98; Hazel 381-204- 2. self-imag- The Castle Dale Stake Gold and Green Ball will be held Friday, Nov. 28, at 8:30 p.m. in the Castle Dale Stake Center. It is with a floor show 8. or 381-24- teaching Attention parents! Support school spirit. Buy your teenager a Spartan black jacket for Christmas. Order by Nov. 21. Call $25. Sponsored by the Booster Club. 381-518- Jones. For information call Shanna Davis at Jimmy by Saturday, Nov. 687-925- 7. Birthday party The Emery County Nursing Home will be having an open house honoring residents who have birthdays in November on Operation Santa Claus Giving Christmas to someone unknown is a bold gesture of charity. Operation Santa Claus needs that sort of gesture from everyone in Emery County. Donations of new or good used clothing and toys are needed as well as gifts of money which will be used to purchase food for Christmas baskets. No donation is too small. Any gift will be greatly appreciated. Donations may be delivered to i. the Castle Dale Senior Center. If you would like them picked up, please call Carolyn at or Katherine at All donations should be in by Dec. 12. Time is of the essence, if Christmas is to come for some of our children. Operation Santa Claus is sponsored by the 381-51- 381-550- 6. Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Castle Dale Fire Department. Wont you help please? If you need help providing Christmas for your family, please pick up an Operation Santa Claus application at the Social Services Office in Castle Dale. Applications must be in by Dec. 12. Autograph party If Its Monday It Must Be Wash Day, a new book of poetry by Carol Easterbrook Wolf, will be reviewed at a Huntington book fair Huntington Elementary PTA monthly meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Steve Stream will speak on child safety. PTA is having a book fair Dec. 6 at school. Each student is encouraged to make a publicity poster. One winner from each classroom will be chosen and given a free book during the book fair. Winners will be announced at the Nov. 20 meeting. Last year our membership was 149 members. We have reached our goal to increase membership by 10 percent. We now have 1P6 members and are working to have 200 members by Dec. 31. If you do it today. havent joined SI |