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Show I I Brigham City, Utah Thursday, January 6, 1977 BOX ELDER JOURNAL, 2 Letters to the Editor ... Editorially Speaking The editor invites and welcomes letters for publication in these columns. However, contributions must be signed and also bear the writers Taxpayers get a hand from interest on funds taxes. Everyone pays them, in one form or another. Government at all levels depend upon them for survival. And, often they are made reference to with all the reverence of a stubbed We all know about toe. Thus it ought to be somewhat contorting for taxpayers to read that Box Elder county annually taps another source for a portion of its income interest on idle funds. As indicated in a front page story today, the earnings on invested money this past year yielded some $86,153. Now this may not seem like a great deal when considered as part of a $2.1 million budget, but it sure is a big step ahead of nothing. Of course most governments invest idle funds, those monies that arent immediately needed but which will be spent later in the year. Thats good business sense. And a benefit to taxpayers who can always use a helping hand. Box Elder county has the advantage also of not being forced annually adress and telephone number. It is suggested that letters not exceed 250 words in length. Look at basic priorities first to borrow on tax anticipation, that is, to take out a loan to finance operations until tax revenues are received later in the year. Because it doesnt, there is a savings realized in not having to pay interest on the tax anticipation loan. Which makes the $86,153 earned last year appear even more significant. This doesnt mean that Box Elder county has a big surplus of money which serves no purpose but to sit and gather interest. What it does mean is that instead of living on current year property tax revenues, as most entites do, the county depends upon taxes collected in the preceding year to finance the next years operations. And this means that more money is available for a longer period of time for investment with savings institutions. Weve heard the practice criticized by a spokesman for the Utah Taxpayers association. But not too vigorously. Frankly as a taxpayer, we like it. Editor: REACTION VICTIM BOX ELDER JOURNAL wokly ittwsppr stablishd in 1901, published every Thursday by the A Box 55 Elder 5outh First West, Brigham City, Utah, 84302. Second Class postage paid at the post office, 14 South First West Brigham City, Utah, 84302. Like the pot calling Charles 'Tuff' Claybaugh Publisher General Manager Bruce T. Keyes, Managing Editor Mike Perry, Sports Editor Sarah Yates. Society Editor Shirley Richardson, Classifieds Betty Claybaugh, Circulation Arland Tingey, Newspaper Supr. Van Claybaugh, Photo-Pres- s Supr. H. W. Anderson, Commercial Printing Supr. the kettle black rate $10.00 per year payadvance in connection with Elder News (published Sun- Subscription able the In a time when so much news borders on or plunges deeply into the negative, the Soviet Union periodically provides some comic relief through its news releases. The latest came in a personal attack on President Ford by Tass, the Soviets official news agency. It accuses the President of seeking to step up the arms race at the expense of social programs. It concludes that Mr. Ford was because of defeated for his vetoes of social legislation and promotion of increased military spending. Thats an interesting bit of logic, coming this week from the same government that now offers its citizens marriage insurance. In the first place, by any measure the USSR is the leader in arms spending and not only for defense but offensive purposes. It is the Communist nation that makes it necessary to continue the contest for military superiority. Whats the old saying about the pot calling the kettle block? Further, what does the Soviet Union know about holding an election in which there are actually two ormore candidates for office? Their analysis of such a selection process has the ring of a lead coin. And if the US constituency did base its decision on the need for to social programs, folks here at least have the option. What does a Soviet citizen do when he wants a change? in Box days) in Box Elder County. rate $14.00 per year payadvance in connection with Elder News (published Sunoutside Box Elder County. Subscription able the days) in Box Learn with a hangover? by Dr. Daryl J. McCarty Executive Secretary Utah Education Association It theres one thing a student can do without in school, its a hangover. Nevertheless, according to a confidential survey made by the Utah State Board of Education, youngsters are still trying alcohol, but, a few number of them. Here are some of the findings from the 1975 poll: 50 per cent of the 2,279 students polled said they had never experimented with alcohol. In the latest study, 52.5 per cent of the students said they could get alcohol with no difficulty. , A total of 9.4 per cent of the students classified people they personally know who use alcohol as being physically dependent on the stuff, or hooked. At what age would you say some Utah youngsters begin using alcohol? The poll showed that 10.2 per cent of the students first experimented with or used alcohol before age 12. Quentin Kolb, director of Odyssey House of Utah, expresses concern about alcoholic products that are being marketed to appeal to young drinkers. One of these drinks is a beverage that has been on the market only a few months. These drinks contain 15 per cent alcohol, and sales are booming, according to trade journals. Question: Can liquor sales be aimed at young people just reaching the legal age for drinking without increasing the number of underage drinkers? That may be an important one to schools, parents and students in the coming months if we want the per cent of those not experimenting with alcohol to increase. A student cant learn much with thunder of a morning-afte- r ache in the head. milk-base- greater attention Incidentally, Tass, this editorial comment wasnt edited, passed on, tinkered with or censored by anyone but the editor. But then, you wouldnt understand that, either. I am writing in response to the recreation complex proposal, presented to the city council on Dec. 16, 1976. Some letters of protest and opposition have already been published and I have to agree with their views on the project. I am of the opinion that we as citizens of Brigham City must look at out basic priorities before a peaches and cream project of the kind proposed is considered. Basic priorities can be defined as: sewer, water, power, fire department, police department, streets, etc. Each of the items above are necessities of life which are needed by all citizens in a community. We here in Brigham City are no exception. The defeat in 1975 of a proposed bond issue, covering swimming pools and other assorted recreational goodies, by a majority of our citizens was a clear cut example of what I am talking about. The citizens of Brigham City demonstrated considerable foresight and good judgement when they overwhelmingly approved an electrical bond issue to upgrade our power system. Some years ago the city council initiated a police department improvement project which was to me a demonstration cf foresight and sound judgement on their part. We have more basic priorities which require our immediate attention, for example: Our sewer system and treatment plant must be upgraded in the next few years if we are to satisfy federal requirements. Our fire department needs several items, the most critical being an adequate building for their equipment. This item, in my opinion, is and should be foremost in the minds of the city council as well as citizens of Brigham City, since fire underwriter grading of our department will effect all of us with higher fire insurance rates if we do not provide at least an adequate building for the equipment. Our water system needs upgrading and improvements. We cannot increase storage of water and thereby increase our pressure since many of our mains within the city are old and could not stand an increase in supply pressure. I am in favor of a progressive community in every regard but I submit that common sense dictates a need for basic priorities, first. The recreation complex is a good idea but I do not believe we can afford it. I also do not believe it would be possible (as indicated by figures in the presentation to the city council) for the complex to pay its expenses by memberships and rentals. It is folly to expect that income of over $140,000 per year is possible from rentals and memberships for use of a recreation complex here in Brigham City. In helping free and independent nations to maintain their freedom, the United States will be giving effect to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Harry S. Truman d, Respectfully, C.G. Heiner Brigham City Maybe you'll grow up Editor: This letter is to all the inconsiderate unhuman beings that like going to the cemetery and vandalizing all the wreaths and Christmas decorations on the graves. You who are doing this must have no respect or feelings for the dead or alive ! It hurts the living a lot more than it hurts the dead. Some day youll be dead, too. And I pray that some one will have more respect for you than you did when you were alive! Thanks lots. Maybe in the new year youll grow up and understand how I and many other people feel. fruit-flavor- 734 Leslie Serna, West Fifth South That first snow storm lifted spirits Its been a while since a local happening did as much to lift the spirits of folks hereabouts as Mondays snow storm. The lack of snow through the fall and winter season had reached a point at which concern was being liberally expressed in many quar- ters. And now skiers are happy, ski resort owners ecstatic, snow tire dealers relieved, water users buoyed, poets inspired, photographers school Talk By Louise Francis Elementary Counselor There is a great deal written about communication between parents and children. Dr. Thomas Gordon, a clinical psychologist, has termed one aspect of communication as active listening. This is a process where we accept what our children say and try to facilitate their need to talk about their problems. It works this way: When they make a statement such as I hate school, we say Oh or Really. This gives them an invitation to say more and further explain the state- ment. The listening proceeds with a desire to understand, therefore, statements, such as delighted, and those who operate snow plows... tired. Ordinarily, the first snow storm brings with it an avalanche of gripes and moans, the usual complaints about the cold and inconvenience of it all. But not this time. We all had been reminded vividely of just how important moisture is to us. This initial blanket of white stuff isnt sufficient, of course. We need more to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. Hopefully, there will be additional storms and more snow. And if there are, we suspect most of us will get back into the regular routine of complaining with the drop of every flake. Things will be back to normal. And thats okay because normal means next summer reservoirs will be brimming, springs and wells flowing, crops and range plants growing and generators generating. Well drink to that. ..because therell be something to drink. Are you listening as children talk? You really dont like it, etc., will help the child explain just what it is he does not like about school. This method is much more effective than diagnosing the problem by jumping to the wrong conclusion, because we are upset by the word hate or school. Children talk to satisfy their needs, let us be careful not to turn them off and stiffle those needs. The active listening skill can be used to excellent advantage in helping children solve conflicts with their brothers and sisters. The following is a quotation from Dr. Gordons book, Parent Effectiveness Training: The parent can encourage problemsolving by using active listening and turning into a transmission belt, not a referee. It works like this: JIMMY: I want the truck! Gimme the truck! Let go! Let go! PARENT: Jimmy, you really want that truck. TOMMY : But I had it first! He came in and took it away. I want it back! PARENT : Tommy, you feel you should have the truck because you had it first. Youre mad at Jimmy because he took it away from you. I can see you really have a conflict here. Is there any way you can see of solving this problem? Got any ideas? TOMMY : He should let me have it. PARENT: Jimmy, Tommy is suggesting that solution. JIMMY: Yeah, he would, cause then hed get his way. PARENT: Tommy, Jimmy is saying he doesnt like that solution cause youd and hed lose. TOMMY : Well, Id let him play with win my cars until I get through with the truck. PARENT: Jimmy, Tommy is suggest- you can play with ing another solution his cars while he plays with the truck. JIMMY: Do I get to play with the truck when hes through. Mom? PARENT: Tommy, Jimmy wants to make sure youll let him play with the truck when youre through. TOMMY: OK, Ill be through pretty soon. PARENT: Jimmy, Tommy is saying thats OK with him. JIMMY: OK, then. PARENT: I guess youve both solved this problem, then, right? When we develop an attitude of really trying to understand what our children feel we will then be able to communicate our feelings and values to them. We will also avoid many situations of resentment and rebellion because of misconceptions. A course in parent effectiveness training using Dr. Gordons book as a guide is offered through die elementary schools. There is no charge for the course and anyone interested can contact the school board office for the next starting date. The course runs for four weeks and each session is about an hour and a half. |