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Show MARCH 17, 1987 t Commissioners amend budget Among my favorite columns is a serious piece I wrote in the early 1980s concerning a little boy's wonder at a daily newspapg er plant. The column spoke of the hard work and hours spent in producing a newspaper in a short seven-hou- r span. ..And it also noted the importance of a newspaper in offering divergent views and opinions. A key part of that column dealt with reader complaints. And the questions I'm most often asked usually are spurred by such early-mornin- case-by-ca- se Often a reporter doesnt understand all the ANALYSIS ramifications of an issue or statement. A perfect example occured last week in an Ogden daily which published a story a rewrite of a Utah Foundations report concerning teacher salaries. The original report led off with the statement that Utah teachers had received minimal salary increases averaging about 1 .5 percent or $275. Later in the report, it was mentioned not at the top of the salary scale received that teachers increments, increasing their total salary to 5.4 perexperience cent or $1,017. In rewriting the report, the newspaper reporter played up the 5.4 percent and erroneously indicated that the average teacher received such a pay hike. To make matters worse, the copy desk heralded that statement in the headline Teachers Receive 5.4 percent Increase. (Experienced teachers were looking at their paycheck and wondering who stole that 5.4 percent.) The news media often has a difficult time reporting education and salary issues. The high birth rate skews any per capita statistic and teacher salary totals usually dont include the fact that Utah pays most of the employees retirement costs, a fringe benefit not generally available in other states. Considering the complexity of such issues, the reporter should not be taken to task... How many of us could write knowledgeably about nuclear fission? The placement of a story is usually more PLACEMENT story on the powerful than the storys content. A front page will normally receive more readership than a lengthy story hidden on the left columns of the obituary angry readers to question why a newspaper focausing page, cused on a particular piece. Unknowing readers often blame the . reporter for sensationalizing in placement or the headline-whe- n, in actuality, the reporter has nothing to say about the storys placement. Editors control the placement... And the judgment is usually made, not in terms of sensationalism, but with concerns of timeliness, locale, the storys general appeal, and the availability of photographs. A good example: On any other day, the death of the famous Birdman of Alcatraz would have appeared on the front page. But Robert Stroud met his demise on the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated, story on a back relegating his death to a short page next to the cabbage ads. OPINIONATED COVERAGE A reporter often gets a bad rap for favoring one side of an issue when the real problem is inadequate information or a no comment from a particular source. A reporter cannot make a story out of silence--an- d neither do most reporters allow their private thoughts to color a story. Maybe they should. A recent example: In coverage of the closing of the Hotel Utah, reporters did not note a fact that they all knew. ..That the lack of a liquor store at the grand hotel had led to a drop in tourists (and the hotels profitability). If these liberal reporters were really out to distort the news, d they would have found someone to comment on the liquor issue. of fairness. They didnt-o- ut HOLY COW STORIES Newspapers can expect a barrage of complaints on two holy species of stories: High school sports and religion coverage. Many readers believe that religious comments and prep quarterback glories should be above criticism or investigation. Some newspapers cooperate-b- ut good newspapers dont. Oral Roberts give me money or death statement goes far beyond standard gospel and, rightly so, newspapers are treating his statement as a regular news story, not as a fundamentalist press release. High school sports are similar. If a reporter is to explain why Team A won the game, isnt it natural to also explain how Team B lost the game? When I make such comments, Im usually dubbed as a "newspaper defender or one of those freedom of the press freaks. Such epithets dont make me cringe. They make me proud. non-taxab- le two-paragra- wild-eye- Seniors set dance The Layton Senior Citizens will hold a dance LAYTON 21 at the Layton Senior Citizens Center, 410 March Saturday, Wasatch Dr., Layton. Music will be by the Washington Terrace Senior Band from p.m. All persons 40 years and older are welcome. A donation of $2 is requested. For information call Shirley Lynch Winds A public hearing was held at the Davis County Courthouse to amend the county budget to By TOM BUSSELBERG self-insur- complaints: Isnt the press too powerful? Why would a newspaper run such a story? How can the reporter botch the facts? What gives a newspaper the right to publish such negative drivel? The answer to the last question is easy... The Constitution gives it that right, the same right readers have to grumble. .The other questions take longer to explain and are often best exbasis. But I do have some general plained on a comments when asked to "explain the press--an- d Ive included them below: Davis High hosts hypnosis program An informative and entertaining hypnosis KAYSVILLE will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Davis High presented program School. Sponsored by the Dettes and Davis High Studentbody officers, Jack Lythgoe, considered one of the nations foremost concert hypnotists, will entertain with over two hours of startling and unique experiments in the advanced area of hypnotic phenomena, a news release says. He has 33 years of experience in the field and uses volunteers from the audience. Hypnotic age regression will be demonstrated along with hallucinatory effects of hypnosis. There will be time for questions, as well. or will also be explained. and The program is not recommended for s will not be permitted. Tickets may be purchased in advance from the Dettes or for $3 at the door.. Self-hypnos- is auto-suggesti- babes-in-arm- Ex-st- ar to speak KAYSVILLE Sometimes its okay to say no. Former rock musician Jevon Thompson, who also was a marijuana grower and drug user, is also a teacher, parent and lecturer. He will be presenting the lecture, Its OK to say No! to parents March 24 at 7 p.m. at the Davis High School auditorium. Mr. Thompson will also be a keynote speaker at the Utah Federation for Drug-Fre- e Youth convention March 1 in Salt Lake City. In addition, he will give workshops at Kaysville Junior High and Davis High School. In his lecture to parents, Mr. Thompson shares some of his personal experience with drugs and some of the many experiences students have shared with him. He also will relate hi$ knowledge of drugs and the rock music scene. In addition, hell convey the most recent scientific evidence about the harmful effects of marijuana along with the hazards of all drug use, including alcohol. His Davis County visit is sponsored by the Kaysville Junior High PTA. Further information is available by calling Trudy 5 or Laraine Saunders at Byington at 544-949- 544-895- 9. Animal Day planned LAYTON The Layton Hills Mall and Help Save the Animals an Animal Day are at the mall on Saturday, March 21. Various organizations from along the Wasatch Front will be participating in the event which will include displays, information and demonstrations involving dogs and cats. Hill AFB Security dogs and their trainers will be demonstrating their abilities at noon and 2 p.m. at center court. The Great Salt Lake Obedience Training Club will be giving a demonstration at 1 p.m. and the Utah Guide Dog Club will give State one at 3:30 p.m. 4-- H The Cat Fanciers, Help Save the Animals, veterinarian Dr. Denzel Taylor and Deann Hess from Davis County Animal Control will also be in the mall answering questions and providing literature on pet care For more information please contact Janice Barson or Jean Hampton at the mall office at ACT classes set KAYSVILLE There Will be review classes in American history, math, science, and English with special materials prepared to assist you in raising your score on the ACT test. The classes will be held at Davis High School. Lucll S. Stahl J. Howard Stahl Tom 6uMlbrg Manager Editor 544 V133 30 and April 6, history, room 180; Tuesday, March 31 and April 7, English room 282; Wednesday, April and April 8, science room 128; Thursday, April 2 and April 9, math, room 295. One $10 fee entitles you to attend one or all of the classes. All classes are from p.m. 1 LAYTON Hyrum W. Smith, senior vice president of the Franklin Institute, and one of the most sought-afte- r speakers in the nation, will speak March 26 at 7 p.m. at Layton High School auditorium. He will address "The Promise of Control with emphasis on Students and parents are invited. The program is free and sponsored by the Central Davis and North Layton Junior high schools and Layton High Schools PTA and PTSA organizations. The program date has been changed from April 23, previously advertised on flyers. self-wort- OwnerPubllsher Vice President John Stahl, Jr. show-trav- el ss long-rang- F.H. to get park By CHERIE HUBER Davis County will be transfering Nichols Park on Highway 89 to Fruit Heights City when Fruit Heights agrees to the transfer. Commissioner Glen Saunders said that he met two years ago to discuss the transfer with Mayor Dean Brand and the idea has been discussed again several times over the years. The park has three ball diamonds, a bowery, tennis courts, and a building with rest rooms plus other unimproved acreage. Commissioner Saunders told the board that the park costs the county about $20,000 to $25,000 a year to maintain. In addition there is no one available to monitor the parks use at night. The park is in the corporate limits of Fruit Heights City. The county will save the cost of maintaining the park but the park will still be available to all county residents. The nature of usage would not change, Com. Saunders said. Fruit Heights City would like to use part of the area for a city hall. The question of land usage would have to be resolved between the city and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Land can not be taken out of park use unless the local entity provides additional park area acceptable to the Bureau of Outdoor Re- creation. The agreement also states that if the city ceases to use the land or to maintain it, the park will revert back to the county. A draft of the transfer is being sent to Fruit Heights City for their action. and licensing. Speech rescheduled newspaper published at Layton. Utah every Tuesday, the Interest of Davis County and colonies formed by former residents. Address all correspondence to 197 North Mala Layton, Utah 84041. Subscription rate. 25 per copy, $6 50 per year, mailed In county, $7.50 per year outside Weekly Roy may be in Weber County, but a lot of Utahns outside this area tend to think of it as part of Davis County. Then too, just because its over the county line doesnt alter the fact that its economy and activities are closely intertwined with neighboring cities. The residents of this city of 26,000 celebrated their 50th anniversary as an incorporated entity, last week. It was quite an impressive, patriotic program that kicks off not only further observances of that golden anniversary but also mark the U.S. Constitutions bicentennial. The enthusiasm shared by the audience and the hundreds of participants was refreshing. Its great to know people can muster up some pride for their home town. As Mayor A. Wayne Kimber said in his remarks, its encouraging to see so many young people involved. Sure, many of them had to participate because of their membership in choral or instrumental groups. But it looked like their mandatory participation was not the driving force that showed in performance. There were frequent cheers from young and old alike during the slide log that depicted Roy from its incorporation in 1937 to today. Even though the citys getting bigger, its nice to see how many recognized and apparently held high respect for various individuals noted, from the fire and police chief to mayors to prominent business and civic leaders. town thanks to World War II. Roy couldve been a boom-buBut as the mayor noted, foresight on the part of city officials and businesspeople saw to it that life went on after the War. In fact, it would seem life has blossomed far more than its withered. One longtime north Davis resident compares Roys district today to what Ogden had about 20 years if ago. And Mayor Kimber and others have their way, it will just keep growing.. e planBut he stressed also the continued need for with an facilities wells other or water as ning, such digging extra eye to the future. far better to quicken your step I would have to agree-i- ts when the growth comes than to be buried in the dust trying to catch up. Clearfields city administration is looking at the future, these days, for example, as it solicits citizen participation. Nine districts are being formed where neighbors will study and try to determine future needs and desires for parks, streets, storm sewer and other services. It would seem like the way to go. City councils come and go but residents are always there to experience the results of what their city fathers approved, sometimes many years before. I would hope Davis County cities can celebrate just as Roy is doing. Maybe we can give thanks for the good that our forefathers and perhaps even we ourselves have seen fit to accomplish. Then, its off to trying to make the next 50 years as satisfying, whether were there or not. Congratulations again, Roy. Lets build for a better tomorrow for north Davis, as well. It is a great place to live, work and play. Lets hope we can keep it that way. Irish exhibit showing BOUNTIFUL Dates include Monday, In Editor al 20-2- March Published weekly by Clipper Publishing Co. Inc. 96 South Main, Bountiful, Utah 64010 Reflex-Journ- st 546-985- 3. Meflex-Journ- al North By CHERIE HUBER open up two separate accounting numbers for an account for telephones and insurance for the county. Lamar Holt said that this would be creating two separate funds to account for things that already are in the budget. No new funds were added. Under the countys new policy of self insuring under a $250,000 umbrella policy, the county will have to prove to the state that it is for vehicle insurance. Deputy County Attorney Gerald Hess said that setting the money in a separate fund will aid the county in doing that. The county pays all claims under $250,000 itself. The budget has $420,000 for insurance of which $250,000 is for premiums, $40,000 for small claims, $30,000 for legal fees and claim processing, and $100,000 to start a reserve for large claims against the county. The telephone budget will be $195,000 for telephone service to the individual departments. That includes department expenses of $50,000, $90,000 in line charges, $15,000 in interest and $40,000 in other charges. Lamar Holt told the commissioners that the accounting department was trying to coordinate telephone costs in a consistent manner. The budget will also help spread the cost of the new telephone system over the life of the An inside view u J h. Images of Ireland, the next exhibit at the Arts Center, is more than a collection of photographs. It is a carefully selected display of the intimate photographs of John Francis McCarthy who lived in Ireland for six months and who has traveled around the world capturing the land and culture of countries through the media of photography . Images of Ireland opens on March 22 with a special Gallery Talk program by John Francis McCarthy at 4 p.m. and music Lane Cheney. The exhibit will be displayed through May 1.by Several other special events are being offered in conjunction with this exhibit. There is no charge for admission. On Sunday, March 29 at 4 p.m. Mark Jardine of Tenpenny will provide a program of authentic Irish music. On April 5 at 4 p.m. a literary tour of Ireland featuring Irish poets will be held. This is sponsored by the Hibernian Society of Utah and the Literary Arts Committee of the Salt Lake City Arts Council. The following Sunday, April 12 at 4 p.m. Irish dancing will be featured by the McTaggart Irish Dancers of Utah. The final activity in conjunction with the exhibit will be held April 26 at 4 o p.m. This will be a tape called The Risin of the Moon." It will portray three vignettes reflecting Irish life. The Bountiful-Davi- s Art Center is located at 2175 S. Main, Bountiful. Gallery Hours are 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m.-- 5 p m. Tuesday through Friday; p.m. Sunday. The gallery is closed Saturdays and holidays. Mr. McCarthy is currently living in Rochester, New York. His many published works include a photography book on the Fingerlakes area of New York and several articles and short stories in leading magazines including "The New Yorker." This program is sponsored by the Bountiful-Davi- s Art Center in conjunction with the Utah Endowment for the Humanities. Bountiful-Davi- s film-vide- 5-- 2-- 5 9 |