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Show 4A Emery County Progress Tuesday, June 2, 1992 PERSPECTIVE Should Utah change its Constitution lias it come to this? Basement blues by Larry W. By quest writer The Utah Legislature recently reported for a special Davis session called by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. The session was called to consider the issue of Dont look in the basement! There lurks the waiting to envelop dankmister, the mildewrama the unsuspecting with a hideous coat of nostalgia. Why, ask myself each spring, do have to clean the basement? Is it my job to clean the basement and everyone else's job in my family to get it dirty? rarely go into the basement; usually only for a few days each spring to clean and shuffle those things Ive been cleaning and shuffling for years. Still, its there, and I know its there, sharpening its teeth and waiting to bite me in the darkness of my paranoia. How can bite back? Throw the stuff away, Ive been told. Hold a garage sale, others have said. Put a match to it, my frustrated wife has suggested. But I, ignorant of such matters, only clean and shuffle. Of the garage-sal- e idea, Ive had hope. Ive even started to put a price on the junk that sits in the basement like discarded Pontiacs at the bottom of the ocean. No barnacles, only dust and finely woven spider dens. There see a Barbie doll, and think Its got to go. examine it more closely and find that both feet have been chewed off by the puppy. What would such a defective, buxom toy of our time bring on the garage sale market? I wonder. And nearby is an old toilet, left behind by previous owners. To sell it would be like the pay toilets detest so much in the airport, think. Still, it could fetch a few pennies for those in need of a rather large ashtry, paperweight or conversation piece. The clothes down there conjure up images of Woodstock, but keep thinking, That style will come back, and when it does, Ill be ready. Its hard to admit that Id have to lose about 50 lbs. to get But there back into those bellbottom-hiphuggerkids used to wear. are all those piles of clothes the Clear em out and make room for the clothes the kids are more recently discarding. with spit-u- p stains on it and look at a little prepare to throw it in a bag marked garage sale. wind up, prepare to throw and then it hits me. That ever recorded on a shirt by may be the first spit-u- p that kid of mine. Its historic... Its a turning point. Its... cant get rid of it. And I find that feel attachments to every piece of cherubic clothing and toy in the heartless basement. There are magazines dating back to the 70s, gardening tools beyond repair, old bike frames from the Sting Ray period, old lesson plans and manuals and college notes and Utah State University football programs when Altie Taylor and Touchdown Tony Adams were stars, and basketball programs with Marvin Roberts and Nate Williams gracing the covers. How much would such stuff bring when piled on the front lawn and left opened to the general public? Pennies? Quarters? Dollars? sit here in the ruins of a lifetime, thinking of such a fate. What would I gain by selling it off? A little more space in the basement to be filled with the new-wav- e garbage of the 90s? Then think about the torch idea, but fear the fire might spread to things still in use and decide, No, too hazardous. Then it hits me. I need this stuff. My family needs this stuff. It is our heritage. It is our legacy. It is our reason for living in America where we have the freedom to keep junk in the basement and not have to sell it or burn it or give it away if we dont want to. Dog gone it, we dont even have to shuffle it around every year if we dont want to. I see in the corner, behind a pile of rubber hose with the connections on both ends cut off, my golf clubs. Aint America great, I think as pick up the clubs and head out the door. At the top of the stairs look down into the abyss. I think I hear laughter, but shrug it off and set sail for Millsite. I I their feelings on the matter. However, shortly after we arrived for the session, discussion began on the issues. The Democratic caucus of the House met and said they would not vote in favor of the idea. This created problems, because they have 31 votes. The Republican caucus had 44 votes, but this was not enough votes to meet the requirement. The Senate could only get 15 votes in favor. Therefore, Bangerter did not add the issue to the legislative session agenda. I personally feel it is too bad that we did not address the issue. During the session several constitutional scholars taked about the issues. Most believe that the Constitution needed to be changed. Michelle Pixier Parish, of the ACLU, also addressed C.e session and we had a questi and answer period. I personally felt she could not answer our questions satisfactorily. I asked if she felt that government needed some divine guidance. She had a hard time answering that question. We are now working to get the 50 signatures needed. I feel the changes are necessary. We must make sure we dont lose our religious freedoms, and the issue of prayer is just the tip of the iceberg. I believe changes are necessary to make sure the Constitution of Utah serves the purpose it was intended. I think the majority of the public feel that prayer is necessary in public meetings weve been doing it for more than 100 years, and feel it should be continued to be done when desired, without fear of litigation. Forum I I What has been your experi- The high cost of helping I I ence with DWR? Dennis Ward the editor: Several months ago I wrote a letter to the editor to express my dismay with the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Our hunting party reported an illegally killed elk by radio to DWR. As it turned out, one of our party was charged with killing the elk. Although we had many questions as to how evidence was gathered, as do many other people, the costs of getting to the bottom of this and other troubling issues with the DWR was just too expensive. The result being the accused member of our party pled no contest to the charge of possession of the elk. The average person just cant To I s. T-sh- irt I I I Lake City Council from having prayer before their meetings. The ACLU sent out an order to the cities around the state that they would face possible litigation if they held prayer in their meetings. prayer in public meetings, etc., and to decide whether to It was felt that the legislachange Utahs Constitution. tors would want Utahs ConUtah had a difficult time to read the same as stitution being accepted into statehood. U.S. Constitution on the the They were turned down several times. Utah was the first prayer issue. However, Banwestern state to be settled, but gerter said he wouldnt put the one of the last to receive issue on call for the special statehood. session, unless he knew it would have the support of the Its Constitution was written to be more restrictive over Legislature. This meant that the House of Representatives its religious freedoms than would need to have 50 votes state. other Congress any and the Senate would need 20 wanted to be sure that the votes. If it had been approved, LDS church would not be able the issue would have been to govern the state. Recently, the American added to the November elecCivil Liberties Union (ACLU) tion, and the people of Utah field a lawsuit to keep the Salt would have been able to vote I I I Rep. Bradley Johnson afford it. We maintain his innocence even though the DWR will surely insist everything was on the up and up. What do you expect from them? I have found what is the underlying cause of DWRs overly aggressive enforcement policy. You see, they get the revenue from all the citations they write. This is different from any other law enforcement agency. Thus the more they write the more they get. Justice and reasonable enforcement become a secondary I I to revenue principle generation. As a result I will not hunt in Utah and support this very poor public policy. I will either hunt in another state or on a private preserve where the total costs are not as high as DWR has made hunting in Utah. Oh yes, you really need to consider the costs of reporting poaching or illegal wildlife activity to DWR. The costs are staggering and the feeling of being fleeced doesnt sit well either. I I Thanks for help To the editor: I would like to take this to thank everyone opportunity who helped with the Largest Garage Sale held for tuberous sclerosis research. It is most rewarding to see the support received both in donations and help. A special thanks to the media for advertising this event. Appreciation goes to the Country Corner for a wonderful location to hold it. Also, a big thanks to those who donated balloons for advertising, tables and especially their time. Many donations were made both in money and items. A major thanks to those who donated. Without your help, this event would not have been a success. I was very pleased with the amount we were able to raise to help with the tuberous sclerosis research. It is so important to the cause and cure of this genetic my family to find disorder. Please keep in mind that if you give to United Way or CFC, you can designate your amount to go to tuberous sclerosis. Please check on how to designate this. Thank you again for your help. Terry Stettler Golf passes To the editor: In the past month there has been a lot of misunderstanding, hard feelings and maybe some concern about passes that were given out at the golf course in Ferron. Hopefully this letter will eliminate those feelings and clear up the mess for everyone. Originally when the golf course was finished there were a few lifetime passes promised by some of the city officers. One pass was supposed to have been given, the others were never given as promised. In the four years I was on the council, the last two being over the golf course, I was approached many times to give those passes out. When it was decided to finally do it, the man that was most involved in the building of the golf course was contacted to see who should receive these passes. There were six passes given to those who had helped and one had previously been given. Whether this was right or wrong (who knows) but it was done at the city council meeting on Nov. 26, 1991. At the same time I was leaving office because ofother obligations and time involved. At this same meeting the mayor presented me with a lifetime pass to the golf course. I think this one has created most of the problem and peoples concern. Whether this was right or wrong will always be left to each persons opinion. The ges We appreciate letters to the editor at the Emery County Progress and encourage everyone to express opinions through this public forum. When writing a letter to the editor, please follow these guidelines: 1. Keep the letter short and to the point. Letters which are too long may be cut down in length. 2. All letters are subject to editing to meet newspaper style. 3. Be sure of your facts before you state them in a letter. No potentially materials will be permitted. 4. All letters must be lia-bleo- us signed and include num- address and phone ber of the writer. Unsigned ture and the feelings of the mayor and council meant a lot to me. The thought made me feel appreciated and grateful to have such friends. Now, a month ago it was brought up that this never should have happened. I got the feeling that many thought I had given the pass to myself. There was also concern that every councilman that leaves office would receive a lifetime pass. None of this is true and was never discussed in any meeting. Even though I didnt like the way it was brought up at the meeting I can see how this all could be misunderstood and could cause many feelings. Because of this I have returned my pass to the mayor. Through this I have found that the pass didnt mean nearly as much as the thought of appreciation by the mayor and I still have that. I would like to thank the mayor and the council for the time I was able to work with them and for that gesture of appreciation that Ill keep forever. Steve Behling letters will not be printed. 5. Occasionally, a name will be withheld from a letter but only for good cause. Still, the name and other information must be included with the original letter. Requests to withhold names must be made in person to the newspaper editor. 6. Deadline for letters to the editor is noon Friday unless there is a Monday holiday. In such cases, the deadline will be Thursday at noon. Please feel free to express your opinions in our forum section. By following these simple guidelines, you should have no trouble expressing the way you feel about the world around you. bulletin board Bulletin board policy The Emery County Progress welcomes your bulletin board items for publication. We will publish the item for three consecutive weeks. All entries must be of a nonprofit, charitable or community service nature. Please mail copy to the Progress at P.O. Box 589, Castle Dale, Utah 84513; or phone it in at Deadline is noon each Friday. 381-243- 1. Bible school Vacation Bible School will be held June 8 through 12 from 9:30 to noon at the First Baptist Church in Price. For more information call Anyone from ages 3 sixth grade is the through invited to attend. 748-229- representative can essentially handle all functions of the main office. 7. State retirement The field representative for the Utah State Retirement Systems, Bonnie Sweat, will be in Price, at the county offices on Thursday, June 4, from noon until 5 p.m. You may stop by at your convenience or make an appointment The by calling Parade 384-288- Anyone interested in participating in the Heritage Days Parade which will be held July should contact Tory Killian or mail their to Tory Killian, Box entry 4 at 687-945- 8, 1010, Huntington, Utah 84528. Junior golf lessons Golf lessons for ages 6 to 17 i - ii&i at Millsite Golf citizens to attend. Course starting June 2. To register for the lessons to be held June 2, 9, 16 and 23, or for SuperHost classes more information call SuperHost classes are . U, sche- duled for June 9 and 24 in the Emery County Courthouse. The low fee of $7.50 is to cover 7. Bookmobile The Emery County mission will consider termination of the Bookmobile at their regularly scheduled meeting, June 3 at 6 p.m. in the courthouse. They will also be discussing the future of the airport near Huntington. They would invite all interested Com- t 1 ing 381-2- 1 19. SuperHost is for everyone. will be given materials only. Certified trainers lead you through a day of common-sens- e people which will enhance or work place business your and help towards better customer satisfaction. It has an skills excellent section on tourism in the state particularly our area. You can register by call County parade Anyone interested in participating in the Aug. 1 Emery County Fair Parade should call Billie at or Geri at Line up for parade is at 9 a.m. at Stewarts with parade beginning at 10 a.m. 748-242- 381-201- 4, 7. Commodities Commodities will be distri- buted to persons in all groups (Continued on Pag 16) |