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Show THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1977 THE VALLEY VIEW NEWS To The Editor Thanks Given by Jennie Hansen Double taxation is an issue which has left a rather foul taste in the mouths of most of us here in the Unincorporated portion of the county. Weve faced the frustration of watching our taxes soar, in spite of all our efforts. Various groups mounted a successful drive to defeat the organization of special service districts to raise taxes for various services. We saw not the end of the issue, but the organization of the districts anyway through another approach. Concerned citizens waged war on the formation of a fire district and realized too late their victory was really a long term defeat. It's right and logical to oppose mounting taxes, but in doing so too many of us have overlooked some very basic facts. We have to have street lights, planning, garbage collection and fire protection. We may argue the merits or the efficiency of some of those services, but anytime a large group of people live in close proximity these services are absolutely essential to the welfare and well being of those people. Allright, we realize we have to have them, then we must also realize someboday has to pay for them. The Supreme Court says we are the ones who have to do that and do it all by ourselves. County officials cannot manufacture money; they have to get it from us one way or the other. Fighting us to give us what the law says we must have has cost us a great deal in both time and money. Now we are faced one more time with a proposal for granting us fire protection. The question is are we going to fight this one too? There is only one way to beat it and that is for more than 70,000 of us to put our names on a petition of opposition. But should we do it? Even our legislators who enacted the bill enabling this taxation dont particularly like the bill, but they felt they had to pass it anyway. Perhaps that is how we must look at it too. We have to have fire protection; we have to pay for it; and weve run out of options. Its time to stop fighting this battle, but not to give up the war. We should let this taxation quietly come about as our governors and presidents deal with sticky questions by neither signing nor vetoing. The lets take another route. Let's look into a practical proposal for becoming a metropolitan county without any cities or make city and county entirely seperate and independent of each other. The legislature is supposed to launch a study of the problem Lets get behind such a study. A study left to only a few will result in a solution unacceptable to the majority as with the last incorporation study. Though highly dedicated, that study group was largely ignored by the citizenry, then when their proposal was made we found we could not live with it. If were ever going to put the double taxation bogey to rest, we have got to stop simple opposing, and start finding workable alternatives. Legislator Enjoys Job Bob Meldrum The most rewarding experience in my life, said Arlo This comment came as he recalled his initial legislative session as a freshman member of the Utah State House of Representatives. Arlo James, 4541 W. 5780 South, defeated two other candidates in last November's election for the right to represent Legislative District 27 on Capitol Hill. It was a great experience, said James, one that really Sometimes opens your eyes as to the value of government. you get upset as government but when you see the true value of reasoning that goes on behind each piece of legislation then you realize there is a purpose to it all, said James. James became unusually active for a freshman member of the Legislature. He was assigned to the standing committees of Transportation and Public Safety and Judiciary. His appropriation assignment was to the Transportation and Public Safety committee which enabled him to see all sides of the issues which came before that committee. Several interim study committee assignments are still pending for the freshman Democarat from Kearns. I would James recalls the hours to be long and hard. be 4:30 at each and to up usually morning study prior my first committee meeting at eight, said James. Legislative sessions would begin at nine with an adjournment for lunch at noon. Usually this included a caucus meeting too. Appropriation meeting would last from two to four and then last minute voting and so forth would wrap the session up by James. 6:30. This is standard procedure for the legislators during the sixty days of the legislature. However things lengthen out during the last week with midnight marathon sessions oc- curring. James noted some observations in his first experience on There is a tremendous lobby pressure on key the Hill. For instance the optometry bill inissues, said James. volved strong influence from both sides of the issue. The lobbyists are very congenial as they present their stands effectively and many times they have direct influence on a legislator's vote. This is why it is important to keep current on your constituents needs. Many times James received phone calls from constituents while he was on the floor. On key issues I would especially receive many phone calls and always keep the mayor and councilmen and community leaders up to date on the current status of a piece of legislation, said James. James noted the legislature is carried largely by the influence of veterans but that each legislator is aided by an intern from the University of Utah majoring in political science. Mike Romero interned for James. In key legislation involving west valley residents, James fought against the Circuit Bill proposal which he said is not necessary because of the low population of our area. James also opposed the Landlord Tenant Act on the second vote because he felt the bill would give the tenant too much power over the landlord and it is the landlord who has made the initial investment. One of the tougest decisions James said he had to make was regarding taxation bills. It was difficult because the area I represent includes a municipality (West Jordon) and an unincorporated area (Kearns), said James. It is tough to protect both areas regarding this legislation. He added that in his opinion consolidation is viable and right if the proper change is make. A lot goes on behind the scenes persuading voters, James said. He mentioned lobbyist pressures and debate with other legislators as some of the items that persuade the representatives vote a certain way. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience up there, said James. It kind of grows on you after a while. You begin to learn that the government affects every individual." James said, Everyone should have an opportunity to become involved in government. It is effective. And perhaps everyone would appreciate our system more if they hand the opportunity of first hand experience. Dear Editor: As of the West Chair-perso- n Valley Committee opposing the proposal by Salt Lake County to establish a landfill in the Oquirrh Mountains, I would like to express appreciation to the many who have helped in any way to bring this problem to the attention of the public. It has not been resolved in our favor, yet, and until the Salt Lake County Commissioners can guarantee that the dump will not go in the Oquirrhs, it will be unresolved. Many unselfish people who have been so generous with their time should be acknowledged and credited with sincere appreciation at this time. How do you express appreciation for the many hours spent by those of the committee researching facts and setting their personal lives aside for twelve weeks in order to reach our goal - to defend and protect our communities the and beautiful Oquirrhs from the spoilage of a gargage dump (sanitary landfill as the County Commissioners call it). I shall attempt to list most of those who have been so unselfish. The first debt of gratitude goes to LaRee Pehrson, cochairperson, a lovely lady, loyal and deeply dedicated to the improvement of Magna. Without her help, influence, and experience, as well as the countless hours she has so generously shared to defend Magna in opposing the landfill, this project would not have gained the momentum which it has gained, nor would we have accomplished what we have. Thank you, LaRee Pehrson! Second, I would like to thank Senator Carl E. a tremendous person who is not afraid to vote his conscience, regardless of he whom or pleases displeases. He has been a great source of strength and encouragement. Our local news media, The Magna Times and Valley View News and the Green Pet-tersso- Sheet been have gen erous to give us many inches of news coverage to inform the readers in the communities involved of the argument against the landfill as well as to keep them posted as to the progress and findings of this committee. Aubrey Vaughn, has been so resourceful in presenting information for our report. Kent Goble, a father with a brand new baby, who was needed at home to help his wife recover while the five other children were ill with the flu, has left a definite imprint on this report with Monte his contribution. Johnson, unselfishly con- tributed his help in many different ways. Afton Cameron donated the cover for our report. Others I wish to thank are Carma Loader, Terry Villadsen, and Mary Colosomo for their help on Safety and the PTA and the great kids from Cyprus who so willingly carried petitions around door to door at the beginning of waste water from Bacchus Works operations. Sewer water is this Hercules water plant near the Plant Powerhouse. This puts Hercules way ahead in meeting 985 EPA standards calling for "zero" discharge. NO DISCHARGE treated Hercules Working Extra Hard To Auesd Company Pollution campaign. Courtney Reesor, Beatrice and Jack Bates, and the Sierra Club have been a help with their many ideas and leads. Barbra Thomsen and Marlin, William B. Laura Martin, If someone would ask, tell him Works In searching for Geologic material for the Multi-Communi- Committee, a seismograph study summary was unearthed covering the period between July 1962 and Sept. 1974. Of all the fault lines in the Salt Lake County and nearby areas, the Magna fault has been far the most Jo Charlene Payne, Irene Swensen, Renae Murray, Cathy Sayer, Verio Kendrick, and certainly our legislators, Representative Leon Reese and Representative Harold Newman contributed greatly. I am sure I have omitted people who have helped. When one starts singling people out, someone is overlooked, unintentionally, and if that is the case here, I apologize. This has been a herculean project with many involved, not just a few. THANK YOU, YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE! active, producing eight adsizable quakes or justments along this line in those 12 years, including the earthquake of Sept. 1962 that dumped the store shelves and cracked the Cyprus High School building. These quakes have occured roughly along a line from the south tip of Antelope Island through Magna, which has had four, to the Karker Canyon foothills area where two of about 3.0 intensity have occurred, and one of similar intensity about at the mouth of Butterfield Canyon. A line dotted through this area on the map shows the stress areas that lie beneath us in the West Valley, and represents a rough curved line around the Oquirrh foothills. The discovery that we are in such a quaky area of the Wasatch svstem sur- - At a cost of $30,000, an incinerator was installed to eliminate the gaseous byproduct of making graphite fiber at Plant 3. A highly efficient Plant 1 coal-fe- d into compliance with stringent EPA boiler has been brought regulations by a $30,000 Hercules capital project. Project Supported ofSenator Orrin G. Hatch fered his continued support of federal funding for the Central Utah Project in testimony before the Public Works Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations today. (R-Uta- Sincerely, Joan H. Ogden, Chairperson West Valley Committee ty The Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah Project is one of the original 19 nationwide water projects to have funding cut by President Carter. prised me, and no doubt was the basis of the recent surmise in a major paper that Magna was equated with east side as the likely line of the next earthquake. This map and summary appears in the practically every person and business in the State of Utah. In particular jeopardy, Senator Hatch named the Ute Indians living in the Uintah Basin who have relied on an agreement made in 1965 which promised that the government would develop Indian water as part of CUP if the Indians would refrain from using the water they had held legal title to since 1862. Senator Hatch told the subcomittee, I desire to indicate my wholehearted support for the continuation to completion of the entire Central Utah Water Project. Citing the future of Utahs quality of life, the Utah Senator said, ' Impacts of the project will be felt by The discontinuation of funding of the Bonneville Unit of CUP has been justified by President Carter based on serious environmental problems. Senator Hatch No pointed out to the subcommittee, report, study or investigation has been produced to raise any environmental today Rep. Dan Marriott called on two House committees to be more consistent in solving water problems in the West. As a member of measure, then turn around and cut water projects that would prevent future droughts. issue of substance not previously raised and met in more than 20 years of Congressional considerations and before both trial and appellate federal courts. The Senator added that only the federal government has failed to comply with the requirements of the Central Utah Project. Substantial additional costs have been incurred by government-cause- d Senator delays in construction, Hatch said. The federal government finds itself in the position of delaying construction which results in increased costs, and then using those increased costs is a justification for further delay and now even as an excuse to cancel the project, said Hatch. Information Bulletin of the U S ological Survey dated GeJuly-Augus- t, 1974, vol 6, no 4, pp and developed by 12-1- Robert B. Smith, Depratment of Geology and Geophysics of the University of Utah I hardly need to call attention to the fact that the tw o moderate intensity quakes that occurred near Harker-CooCanyon foothill complex would have been in, or near the proposed garbage dump area. These "adjustments" are estimated to have had focal points at about 10km or more depth, about 6 or more miles. It makes one think about how little we know about this thin shell of the molten mass we live on called Earth, and what it could do to us if it was so minded It was gratifying to me to at last locate the Magna Fault line and its extent Vtfllea View industrial waters. There is other water from five natural springs at NIROP. Grasses and other vegetation growing around the springs have attracted birds, rabbits, squirrels and a small herd of deer. Some employees have jokingly referred to the plant area as the Bacchus game preserve. One of these springs has been planted with mosquito and algae-eatin- g gambusia fish in cooperation with the Magna Mosquito Abatement District. The fish are thriving in such numbers that the Mosquito district plans to transplant to other ponds in the area. Propellant and explosives waste disposal methods are approved by the state air conservation committee. with on-pla- far as the environment is concerned at Bacchus, the situation is good, and Hercules is working extra hard to keep it that way. Pollution control plans are reviewed on a regular basis by plant and corporate management. Hercules environmental expert, Dr. R. E. Chaddock, is constantly available for consultation. A Hercules spokesman explains the situation this way: "At present, we have little cause for concern over pollution. We may have a problem crop up here and there occasionally, but were in excellent shape to take care of it. For one thing, the Bacchus Works has never discharged effluent waste waters into any stream or offplant body of water or municipal waste system. This means Hercules is way ahead in meeting EPA standards which in 1985 will call for "zero discharge" by all industries in the United States. Much care is taken to maintain the punty of Coon Canyon run-of- f water which flows through the Bacchus Works on its way to irrigate nearby farmland. None of it is ever mixed Rulon Jenkins, Don Rushton, Russ Ray, Dick Norris, Bill Burke, Edda Timmerman, the local labor unions of Kennecott, Joel and Mary Carpenter, Chad and Earthquake that the Hercules Bacchus isnt a polluter. .As Study Reported Editor, 1 1 the of in n -- Aubrey L Vaughan News KEARNS COMMUNIty NEWSRAPER Issued each Thursday at 9124 W 2700 S Magna, I tah 84o44 Second Class postage paid at Magna. Utah Mail subscription Payable in ad unco $4 per year in Utah $5 out of state All advertising must be in our office by noon Monday foi Thursday publication, and preferably by 5 p m Friday Area businesses wishing information about our rates may contact our office at J Howard Stahle Publisher 230-563- 6 M Glen Adams Assistant Publisher Jennie L. Hansen Editor Afton Cameron, Itay Jorgensen, Jill Jorgensen, Duane Humphries, Barbara C Bird, Ann Pritchett staff (R-Uta- Marriott cautioned his colleagues to remember their approval today of a drought relief bill when the subject of cutting water the Interior Committee, project comes up. The bill was reported out of committee today and action by the House of Representatives is expected early next week. Marriott told Coimmittee chairman it would be Morris Udall highly inconsistent for us to pass this .) Mariott also referred to action in the Public Works Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, which is considering whether to approve fiscal 1978 funding for Bureau of Reclamation water projects, including those on President Carters hit list, which he has recommended be cut. One of those is the Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah Project. In a written statement to the Subcommittee, the Utah Republican said the projects, including Utahs, we authorized after much deliberation the Executive, Legislative and Judic branches of our government over ma years. The funding request. ..is essent to maintain reasonable, economical a realistic construction and planni program to bring much needed water more populated areas). Hesaid he fir it fiscally irresponsible to enact drouf relief legislation and not take I necessary steps to provide for a lo term solution. Marriott voted for drought relief bill, but said he will c tinue to firmly oppose cutting the wa projects. I Seeks Special Hearings letter to Senator Lee Metcalf Senator Orrin G. Hatch lias requested that a time be set for special hearings on a doctored strip mining study. The hearings will determine the significance of changes in an independent study on strip mining legislation submitted to the Senate by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Senator Metcalf, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has announced that special hearings would be set to ascertain the extent of the changes and the circumstances surrounding the alterations In a the independent study, but no definitive date was set. The discovery of the changes was revealed by Senator Hatch during public hearings on the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act on Feb. 8, 1977. Sitting as a temporary member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (formerly Interior and Insular Affairs), Senator Hatch confronted Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus and Federal Energy Administrator Jack OLeary with several obvious changes in substantive facts in what had been suggested to be an impartial report prepared by ICF, Inc., a Washington based research and consulting firm, on in radl Taxpayers should send either a personal check or money order, but not cash, to the Internal Revenue Service for payment of their income tax, the IRS said. In suggesting alternatives to cash, the IRS explained that the taxpayer has the added advantage of having a record proving that he or she made the payment to the IRS. the strip mining law. The doctored ICF report maintains that pending strip mining legislation would have no serious economic or social impact. Senator Hatch said, Both EPA and ICF have corresponded with me concerning the alternations in the final draft of the report. He added, In my opinion, the responses are void of any substantive reason for the changes, and I am therefore, still very interested in the hearings which you proposed to get to the bottom of this (Sen-Metcal- matter. The cloud that remains over the strip mining legislation needs to be cleared. Cslh To MS: The IRS also stressed the importance of entering a correct social security number on the check or money order, du ectly below the signature. If the payment should be separated from the tax return, the IRS said it is very simple to readily locate the taxpayers return through the use of the social security number. |