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Show 2 A tribute to Ron Demars Brigham City, Utah Thursday, July 17, 1977 BOX ELDER JOURNAL, Editor: Editorially Speaking You would win our gratitude if you would publish the following tribute to our friend, Ron Demars, in behalf of his buddies and those who loved him in the First and Sixth wards: Careful review needed for Main tree removal Observant travelers on Brigham Citys north Main street this week probably have noticed that two of n the communitys sycaremoved near more trees have been Second North. They were taken out to accommodate a parking lot entrance way from Main street to the new Skaggs store which is scheduled to open later this summer. To see a tree cut down is not an uncommon sight locally. But when the tree happens to be on Main street, it is somewhat more significant than a routine removal. The trees which line Main street virtually from one end of town to the other are a distinguishing feature for this city. well-know- . VISITORS ARE impressed by them. They remember them and Brigham City as a result. Local residents appreciate and enjoy them. And city officials jealously protect them. Thats why, when we saw the two sycamores being taken out Tuesday, it gave reason for concern. No approval had been given by the city council as required by ordinance. We called the mayor who informed us he had given the okay for removal. He received the request during a week when the city council wasnt meeting. Rather than place the city in jeopardy of holding up the project, the mayor gave approval. It had already cleared the city forester and inspector, he explained. In all likelihood, the council, had the request been brought to it for consideration, would have given the green light. After all, the plan for new store construction a plan which passed had apparently incity scrutiny cluded access requiring elimination of two trees. Our concern, and we expressed it to the mayor, was the procedure followed. WHEN A PLAN FOR Main street commercial development is presented which, by its nature or design, requires tree removal, it should be reviewed by the shade tree commission and the council given an opportunity to act on the matter at that time. This is not intended to hamstring or discourage new business or expansion of existing stores. City officials must be reasonable when weighing the preservation of Main street trees against orderly commercial growth. We cant simply say no to every, request. But the council should exercise careful deliberation. Sometimes plans can be altered to reduce the number of trees requested for removal. Or even eliminate the need to take out any at all. It has occurred in the past. We owe this to ourselves and to future generations. Ritter ban on cameras a violation of rights Another chapter was added to the continuing wrangle between US District Court Chief Judge Willis Ritter and the news media Tuesday when marshals reportedly wrestled a TV camera from a photographer. This latest incident is not without precedent, of course. Under the judges order, earlier this year a TV camera was confiscated as the photographer was taking pictures on the sidewalk outside the federal building in Salt Lake City. This game of is played under an order from Judge Ritter banning cameras from the federal building. In this day of bizarre happenings, one becomes accustomed to unusual not-so-fun- developments. But we continue to shake our head in disbelief that a federal judge or anyone else can so arbitrarily hand down such an order. We agree on his authority to pro A hibit cameras within the confines of his courtroom and immediate environs. But to shackle the public in an entire public building is absurd. This is something we might expect to occur in a country under dictator rule. But its unquestionably out of harmony with rights guaranteed by the US Constitution. Of fa th Constitution says: shall moke no tow , . . abridging the freedom of speech or of the press The First Amsndm&nf BOX ELDER A weekly newspaper 190$. published every Box l, Elder JOURNAL established Thursday 55 Letters to In by the South First West, Brigham City, Utah, 84302 Second Class postage paid at the 14 South First West post office, Brigham City, Utah, 84302. eee Charles 'Tuff' Claybaugh Publisher General Manaqer Bruce T. Keyes, Managing Editor Mike Perry, Sports Editor Sarah Yates, Society Editor K. Wayne Claybaugh, Advertising Manager Shirley Richardson, Classifieds Betty Claybaugh, Circulation Arland Tinqey, Newspaper Supr. Van Claybauqh, Photo-Pres- s Supr. H. E. Anderson Commercial Printing Supr. Subscription able rate $10 00 per year The editor invites and welcomes letters for publication in these columns. However, contributions must be signed and also bear the writers adress and telephone number. It is suggested that letters not exceed 250 words in length. Grateful for ceremony Editor, Member Utah State Press Association National Newspaper Association and United Press International. Advertising Representative: Utah State Press Association, Salt Lake City, Utah Your editorial said it well, but I would still like to add a word about our Independence Day observance. I was so glad we had a patriotic program. I dont know if your earlier editorial, when it seemed nothing was being planned, furnished the spark, but Mrs. Gurrister, with the presentation she organized, surely saved the day. As you said it wasnt too long or too short except short on attendance. But if planning was begun early, like now for next year for something involving more people, or groups of people, there would be a crowd, right there. I hope it happens. Anyway, Mrs. Gurrister, and all who had a part, thanks, and congratulations. Grace Price NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FmtN 1IM jWUTIW NNA SUSTAINING MEMBER - 1972 American Viewpoints course the camera incidents P.S. ance on the bench, a style that has seen critics attempt to have him removed as chief judge in Utah. Some would like to see him removed That huge flag is a truly beautiful sight! Inequality of rights period. Its uncertain as to just where his unorthodox manner will lead the Editor: Signed Vaughn Nielsen for the First Ward and his boys everywhere not answer Editor: - p vr I was one of the 12,806 voting delegates to the Utah IWY conference. It seems strange that it was fair for the IWY conferences nationwide to be paid for with $5 million of the federal taxpayers money, especially when the national commission of IWY appointed by President Carter was an unbalanced 41 and 1 Yet it was unfair for so many Mormon women to attend the conference and a conservative slate of delegates elected to go to Houston. We were told to vote for a balanced slate. When everyone exercised their freedom and voted their conscience we were accused of being told who to vote for. Never at any time was I told by anyone, nor did I tell anyone, who or what to vote for. Whenever there is a free election it is only natural to have the results reflect the majority viewpoint. The majority must rule if this nation is to remain free. Most of the things proposed are already covered in existing laws. Some things proposed were ridiculous. A few were valid problems. The Equal Rights amendment is not the solution, but a problem. Women are guaranteed their rights in the 14th and 19th amendments to the US Constitution, and Article IV Section 1 Utah State Constitution. Men, if you think these are just womens problems please read the platforms. Mrs. Dorothy Littrel, Utah IWY executive committee was the one whose resolution was officer, and a adopted against federal IWY funding. She along with Congressman Marriott, are fighting to have the Utah delegation seated at Houston. I have written to Dorothy Littrell, Senators Hatch and Gam, Congressmen McKay and Marriott, Governor Mathe-soPresident Carter, and Delbert Oswald (director of the Utah Endowment for the Humanities). Men and women please study these issues, write these people and fight for what you believe in. The ERA issue is not dead. The ERA Coalition of Utah has vowed to go to every city in the state. ERA is not the solution, but better parents raising Lincolns and Einsteins, not Hitlers. And everyone living the Ten Commandments. con-ER- pro-ER- A n, aged jurist. But one thing appears clear at this point, a higher court should act, and soon, to get rid of the ridiculous camera ban which Judge Ritter has imposed Marathon Ron, he was called by his cubs and webelos and scouts who were happy recipients of the caramel candy bars given with love. Though he was a bachelor, he was father to more boys than anybody. Who shall we ever find to take his place? is the mournful lament since his death at scout camp this past week. There was nothing Ron couldnt do for a boy, his scouts agree. Why, so and so wouldnt be in reform school now if he had known Ron, remarked a boy whose life was changed for the good by Ron Demars. We have seen him hug and cuddle his young buddies, and tell them he loved them, a thing which in others might be open to suspicion of motive. But Ron was so childlike, so honest and sincere, that of him we thought how Christlike! for we remembered how it was said of Jesus that he took the little children in His arms and blessed them. Ron Demars lived alone in the house in which he had always lived, alone with old things which brought memories, since his parents deaths. He should have been lonesome and unhappy and full of self pity, for a childhood affliction left him with a deteriorating eye problem which of late furnished him with very little vision at all. It was obvious from his manner of speech and of expression that the high fever associated with the illness just mentioned had an affect upon him, one which kept him completely unspoiled and untouched from the sophisticated ways of the world. In him, kindness, faith, and trust were ever pure and innocent. He was one of a kind, content with his lot, a man who found joy in sharing himself and his talents with those he loved, and that included everybody he every met. Though open, and therefore vulnerable to hurts, he had complete trust in the inate goodness of man. No matter who they were or what they had done, those who came to his door with a need were accepted as his buddies and found in him a listening ear and an understanding heart. After talking with Ron and receiving a pat on the back and the treat of a candy bar, problems seemed of no consequence, and it was easy to whistle and sing along with him as he walked you back home. For those who required extra attention, Ron kept an extra mattress on the floor in one room, and any buddy was invited to sleep over anytime he so desired. It was special to go to Rons house where you didnt have anybody telling you to wipe your feet or keep them off the furniture. An old player piano was the delightful plaything of everybody, and though abused, it made as merry a music as Ron himself. All of us who loved him and were helped on the way to becoming our better selves by the way he treated us, will never forget our friend Ron. In him we saw the example of what the Divine Redeemer meant that we must be if we are to inherit the kingdom of heaven: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (St. Mark 10:15) ERA pay- in advance in connection with the Box Elder News (published Sundays) in Box Elder County. Subscription rate $14 00 per year payable in advance in connection with the Box Elder News (published Sundays) outside Box Elder County are just one example of Judge Ritters unusual style of perform- in "Con-gros- s, Tribute to Ron Demars What if the majority of Americans believed in the principle that inequality of rights under the law should be provided by the United States and by the states on account of sex, as it seems the majority of Utahns believe? the Salt Lake City Sincerely yours, Marjorie Childs federal building. Thank Ruel Eskelsen and former council n, Debbie Stevens Brigham City's favorable water supply written by State Rep. Wayne A. Jensen who has served also as mayor and city councilman in Brigham City. It was submitted as a letter to the The following was editor but due to its length, could not be used as such. However, the editor felt the content should not be edited and thus decided to use amen to what is written about former mayor Ruel Eskelsen and other city officials. by Wayne A. Jensen As each day passes by and the severity of the drought becomes more apparent throughout the state, it behooves me to comment about how fortunate we are that we live in Brigham City with the fine state of our culinary water system, with the adequate supply of culinary water that we have available. I feel that we should recognize why this condition exists and we should show appreciation, thanks and recognition to those who made this possible. term of Mayor During the four-yeRuel Eskelsen in the years 1957 to 1961, he and the city councilmen who served with him made our present culinary system possible. With an expenditure of $4,000,000 and the vision and foresight of dedicated public servants, the system became a reality. Several springs were developed and added to the older system. These springs which were owned by the Box Elder Water Users association at the time were traded to Brigham City for stored water which was then kept in the new Mantua reservoir which was also part of the project. ar It also became part of the project that all spring (culinary) water was to run through the power house for the generation of power which also benefited Brigham City residents. Also part of the project was a concrete- - lined canal from south Mantua which water into the reservoir directed run-of- f for storage. Included in this project were two deep feet and wells, one which pumps five-acthe other 8 acre feet. re 7-- Because of the fall from the wells elevation to the power house, they generate enough power to almost pay for the power needed to operate the pumps which bring up the water. These wells were mainly drilled to supplement the water supply for irrigation in dry years. At a later date these wells were connected to the present culinary water system. An additional reservoir was added to the system also. Space does not permit me to further elaborate, but I would again like to point out the debt that we as residents of Brigham owe Mayor Ruel Eskelsen and also the city council who made this a possibility. They are Leon Packer, John Larsen, Don Chase, John Hadfield, Ole Zundel, and Verl Petersen. I would admonish you when possible, to thank these men in appreciation for our present culinary water system. Councilman John Hadfield is now deceased and in tribute to him I would like to state that Mayor Eskelsen said he was one of the strongest supporters of the project, and one of the hardest workers in accomplishing this. In the present day and age the general public feels that most politicians leave a little to be desired. Also another segment of the public feels that other politicians need to be tarred and feathered and run out of the country. But it is my opinion that Mayor Eskelsen and the councilmen who served with him definitely do not fall in the above category. May we as residents of Brigham City be cognizant of those public servants who work so diligently to benefit the residents of the community. Get those weeds Editor: Its thistle time and all property owners should make an inspection of their pastures, fence lines, ditch banks, and road sides. A weed law was passed in 1971 and severe penalties can be imposed upon anyone letting these weeds grow uncontrolled to infest neighboring lands. If you only have a few scattering plants they can be chopped underground just under the crown of the plant with a shovel. Small sprayers can be used to spot spray each plant or other broadleaf weed killers. Thickets of with Canada thistle should be sprayed with special sprays of sprinkled with weed pellets every year until all sprouts are killed. Call your county agent for advice on treatment. There are many other weeds on the noxious weed list that are against the law to go uncontrolled, so if you have property full of weeds, you should hire a professional sprayer to come and spray. The Box Elder county Weed department If they are too busy spraying elsewhere, number is two private operators can be contacted, 8 or All are very reasonable. If you do not have enough consideration for your own land or the law then at least consider your neighbors and the future inhabitants of this earth. 723-222- 6. 723-786- 744-221- 1. Sincerely, Hope Bisling Two can ride cheaper than one. |