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Show Che Salt Lake Tribune @ TUESDAY,January 30, 1996 OUR VIEW PAGE A8 NAA aya, agree The Salt Lake Tribune's Editorial Position Strengthen DUI Law It is time to toughen up on drunk driving in Utah, andstate senators are taking a reasonable course towardthat end Utah suffers its share oftragic traf- accidents involving alcohol. In oneof ay. a drunk driver with a prior offense slammed into a station wagon in Uintah County last fall, killing three peopleandinjuring several others One of the most outrageous incidents occurred in March 1994, when an inebriated Paul Guy Bredehoft mowed down 17-year-old Sean Adkins on a freeway shoulder in Salt Lake City Bredehoft, having an extensive history of drunk-driving violations. was driving without a license. vehicle registration andinsurance. He even had spent time injail for previous offenses. State officials estimate that alcohol- related traffic accidents kill 100 Utahns andinjure 1.200 each year. Roughly 25 percent of these incidents involve people with records of driving under the influence of aleohol Legislation sponsoredby Sen. David H. Steele, R-West Point, would not guaranteeagainst irresponsible people like Bredehoft getting behind the wheel of a car. But it might keep repeat offenders off the road long enough to alert them to the consequencesoftheir deadly behaviorandto save somelives Senate Bill 4 would upgrade the penalties for people convicted of drunk driving three or moretimes within six years. Jugees who suspendprison sentences for fourth offenses would berequired to order a $1,500 (or higher) fine. at least 1,000 hours injail andalcohol treatment Courts also would be permitted to suspend driver licenses up to a year. and convictions in municipal courts wouldcount towardthestate-court tally of violations Legislators this session have sensibly steered clear of earlier, controversial proposals to tighten already strict blood-alcohollimits andto let police decide, without a chemical test. whether drivers under 21 have been drinking Both raise serious questions offairness andeffectiveness Unless enoughofficers areavailable to nab drunk drivers, courts keep careful track of convictions and offenders learn from their mistakes, Senate Bill 4 also couldfall short of its promise. But because its aim — cracking down on Muzzling BYU Newspaper Av issue is whether the university should retain “Utes” as the nickname for its athletic teams. The monikeris only a quarter-century old: previously the Utes were the Redskins. In the case of both names, of course. the concern has been their possible offense to AmericanIndians: the term “Redskins was clearly offensive, and the university madethe appropriate change The school uses its current nickname with the blessing of the Utetribe. ble. If the nickname becomes objection with whom it has a carefully nurtured relationship. But university officials are beginning to detect a generational shift away from tribal embraceof using the name, andso they are preparedfor a nicknamechangeat the first official sign of Ute disapproval At a basketball game earlier this able, he'll dumpit Goodfor him, Loyal Crimsons can’t attach too much sentiment to a nick name they have usedonly since the ‘70s Besides. it’s not their call: they re not the ones who would be offended by Utes.” And with the Red Hawks they'dstill get to keep the feathers speakerhas been indisputably lucrative From 1991 through 1994, she earned in excess of $875,000 on the rubber chicken circuit A formersecretary of labor and of transportation, an appointee of five pres idents, now on temporary leave as pre: dent of the American Red Cross. Dole is an obvious draw. She speaks from per sonal experience on the needfor volun teerism andtheshape of America labor force. But equally obvious is that she commandsspeaking fees often as high as $20.000 because of Bob Dole her husband. Ser That connection should ause Mrs Dole to pause before accepting invita tions from groups with an obvious and s before Con immediate stake ir gress Apparently it has not Indeed, an analysis of the Doles in come statements by Los Angeles Mrs. Dole spoke to the Am of Travel Agents — for a 5 Then there's the issue of the Doles truthfulness about the disposition of the speaking fees. Sen. Dole. in income state: ments filed over the last four years, said that all of Mrs. Dole’s speaking fees were contributed to a Red Cross charity ac count — except for “taxes, a contribution to a retirement fund and speech-writing fees — $147.663 from 1991 through 1994 B Keep i kept confidenti . Coneiseletters de- veloping asingle theme are more like- ly to bepublished. M Pleasetype and doublespace. @ Letters are condensedandedited. ecause ofthe volume of mail re- ceived, not all submissions are published. @ Mail to Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box 867, Salt Lake Utah 84110. ax number is (801) 237- verse. In short, the administration I am a recent BYU gra and I served as editor-in-chief of The Universe during spring and summer. Mystaff was underconstant pressure to withhold informationor prejudice the truth in favor of university administrators. Yet we were tenacious enoughto raiseissues that the paper. President Batemancan show true ness control to those who have studied STEPHEN JAY PARKER Orem r to Studdert personal attacks on Steve Studdert, the chairman of the State Centennial Commission. | have known him for many years and have long sincelearned that he is a person who gives public service whenever called upon anddoesit willingly and without cost to the beneficiaries of his efforts Studdert is an unusual combinationof creative ideas and tremendous drive. He really gets things done. As muchas any- one I know, heis able to see a problem and work out an imaginative solution. I think it’s a shamethat people with their own agendas. who do little to fur- dards of candor and avoid even the ap so. but these groups may well gain his ear to family connections. Such candor and stand on the sidelines and complain. Taxpayers of West Valley City.” ability, PATRICIA P. ROMNEY Highland pearance of a conflict of interest related care seem to have beenlacki to KUTVreporter Rod Decker’s newsernment is going to ask the Utah Legislature for $3 million to finish building the ice hockey arena The citizens of West Valley City weren't even askedif they wantedthefacility. They did not ask us because they werenot going to use taxpayers’ money to build it. This was a lie right from the beginning. City Manager John Patterson acknowledged that they were planning all along to ask the Legislature for taxpayer fund- ing. In an article in The Salt Lake Trib uneJan. 14, Pattersonsaidthat they have everyright to go to the Legislature and ask for funding to pay for the project and while this may betrue, they do not have the right to lie to the taxpayers about the funding, the cost of the arena. Theyacknowledgedthat they plannedall along to build it larger and fancier than what they said it would be. What is to keep them from asking for another $3 million, $10 million or whatever sumthat they want? This money could bebetter spent for someof West Valley City’s morepressing needs, suchas eliminating the bottleneck at 4100 South and 4000 West caused Rights’ scum. EDITOR Shelledy EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR Fuller, Jr KEARNS-TRIBUNE CORPORATION, 143 8, MAIN ST SALT LAKE CITY, 84011 I 15): E. Kent Win- was Poachers are not people: Dominic Welch E. Jan. youhaveareal problem PUBLISHER Harry (Tribune, ward, the Robb family attorney, quoted as saying, “When animals start becoming more important than people. 1871 And, it certainly does not bri 3 fromall of the traffic exiting from the Bangerter Highway. Thenall ofthe citi- and recipient of federal gov- al conflict has been encouraged by a misunderstanding of the value of these programs for all generations. The T'rv- bune’s misguided political cartoonist Pat Bagley, may somedayfindhis sareas- tic representation of “run-away entitlement spending” (pigs eating at the trough of the younger generation) come back to haunt him. Would Medicare coveragefor a serious illness affecting his parents be seen by himasan assault on the younger generation? The great majority of Medicarerecipients pay plenty for their health care, as Ruby L. Chapman (Forum, Jan. 10) pointed out. For mostit is a high percentageof their total income. There are a few luckyrecipients of both Medicareand Social Security who came onto the program ye the minimum numberof qualifying for instance. just after 1965 and Ae fter 1984 — who did well in terms of contributions compared to benefits. However, most beneficiaries such as myself (age 64) certainly will not make out like bandits. I must live 12 years after 65 to break even with Social Security, but that’s not the point. Both programs are insurance programs. Some recipients never comeclose to receiving back the premiums” paid, while others double or triple the premiums paid Those who port the elderlyas feed. ing at the public troughat the expense of the younger generation are misguided misinformedanddoing a great disservice to our country KARL SWAN Tooele These city leaders certainly do not mind Don’t Call Us PETEC. RONDAS West Valley City I should have written the first time “Ron Jorgensenof Sandy” sounded offin the Public Forum. Problemis, he’s not the only Ron Jorgensen of Sandy and he Violent Words Thereport of the violent words andaetions toward New Pilgrim Baptist Calvary Baptist Church and Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church has brought deep sadness to all of us who are working for and seeking peace in our country. It is difficult to imagine people so fearful and cowardly that they would spreadwords ofhate and violence to the extent demonstrated ear lier this month May all of us in this most beautiful and abundant city join in support of the ministers and congregations that were tar geted by profound enmity rather than their hunting licenses, love ployment. Perhaps now they can get a real job, one that has some honorattachedto it MAREEA PERRY West Jordan ‘winner’ have thebest interest of the taxpayers in heart to read that the Robb boys havelost hence their em- loser, Theretiree wholives to age 88 with many hospital and doctor bills is the ernment benefits. Is this really some kind of government perk? Comeon. Give me a zens of WVC would benefit from it Church, Poachers by Another Name In response to thearticle, “Robbs on Track of Regaining Lion-Hunting The Salt Lake Tribune James E. r thanks cast showing that our wonderful city gov- | wish the media would ask Studdert for his side ofthe story. Utah is very fortu nate to have a man with his vision and running up medical bills at age 66, is a tlements for the elderly. Intergeneration Fleeced for Ice I amsure weall have heard of “The Fleecing of America” onalocal TVstation. Well, now wehave “TheFleecing of the larger size and the extra amenities. I am saddened to read and hearthe Nicholes (Forum, Dec. 26). Let me add several points ofclarification which m: help Nicholes. Both Social Security and Medicare are * programs. With insurance there are winners and losers. (if you want to characterize them that way). A retiree whodies quickly, without Animpressivehatchet job by the Rush Limbaughs and Rush Limbaugh wannabeshas been done onthe so-calledenti would take completecontrol of the news- paper's content Thank goodness that several Public Fo- rum contributors have challenged the completely inaccurate letter of Kathy L. break therstate and community improvement Mrs. Doleis not thefirst political wife PENDENT VOICE SINCE which youlive are sponsibilities and oversight for The Uni ) group sought telephone numbers. Information oth- er than your name and the city in no longer have editorial and business re- 000 fee — Sen. Dole called on the Justice Department to examine the decisionby airlines to cap agent commissions. a move the , address and daytime tion on campus,” yet it recommends that the Communications Department In some cases, congressional action fa- with an independent career. Like any oth- 1994 he study's statements and reecommendations are contradictory, The 19-member committee describes the newspaper as “an important means of communica- after her appearance. For example er working spouse, she is certainly entitled to pursue her separate interests. 3ut like anyone marriedto a publicofficial, she should observe the highest stan Jerry O'Brien (198 when the Northwest Association accreditation teamvisits the campus in March. vorable to these organizations occurred Sen. Dole says he doesn't know what groups his wife has addressed. and his spokesmaninsists, “No one gains Bob John W. Gallivan (1960-19 trary to the purpose of a university. This will be detrimental to BYU's reputation andpracticed theethics of journalism about the appropriateness of these gener JohnF. Fitzpatrick (1924 torial control of the student newspaper away from students and faculty is con- government ous cngagements for the spouse of the Senate majority leader UTAH’S INDE PAST PUBLISHERS campus newspaper, from accurately informing the BYU community about the many issues that occur daily. Taking edi- leadership by leaving editorial and busi- those Perhaps could prevent The Daily Universe, the study's recommendations for the news- tions about the couple's ve racity as to Dole’s favor by hiring his wife.” name, sig husband. At least 16 groups that engaged Mrs. Dole had business before the federal staff writer David Willman raises ques some said they invited her because of her Public Forum, pleaseincludeyourfull This study dent, will understand the harm that would come from implementing the expenses However. records indicate that the Doles have kept a substantial part of where her speaking fees ended up. It raises even more disturbing questions Brigham Young University self-study de- classroom about the importance of speech and press freedoms. I hopeMerrill Bateman, the newpresi- Spotlight on Elizabeth Dole @ When submitting letters to the scribed in the Jan. 13 Tribune. so fairly and accurately. In the process. we learned more than we evercouldin a From The Los Angeles Times Misguided Criticism of Elderly Where to Write administration wouldrather bury, and do ANOTHER VIEW Elizabeth Dole’s career as a public Letters from The Tribune's readers I was angered by the results of the month against BYU, Utah unveiled a new mascot — ared-tailed hawk. So. as soon as continued use of “Utes” is deemed untenable. the school is ready to adopt the Hawks. or Red Hawks. Listen. it beats the Red Storm. the name St John’s University took to replace Redmen President Arthur Smith informed tribal members last week of the U.’s readiness to make the switch. Whenthe suggestion was made that he could keep the nicknaine .a exchange for scholarships. he he proper response This i about whether the nick nameoi ud that is non-negotia really not that gut-wrenching a matter THE PUBLIC FORUM drivers who have proved to be an extreme traffic hazard — is logical and fair, it has a better chanceofliving up to its potential. It deserves legislative support Red Hawkat the Ready The Utah Red Hawks? Whynot? After all, the University of Utah has been through this nickname-change routine beforeandhas livedto tell about it. It’s GETTING DON OUT of theIREES and Wine UPRIGHT is iS DARN LAWRENCEGOLDSMITH Presiding Chair The National Conference Formerly National Conference ’ tians ar of Chris: has an unlisted phone number. Thereare twoother RonJorgensens whocall Sandy home, one myhusband, theother my son I cannolongersit by and have my son. Ron C. Jorgensen, and my husband. Ron ald G, Jorgensen, harassed by phone and in print My husbandandson arethe only Ron Jorgensens listed in the phone book as living in Sandy. The iratecallers far surpass thewrittenrebuttals in the paper I wonder about putting names and cit ies on letters to the editor. When innocent peopleare harassed, it stops being a laughing matter. How about including phone numbers so the responsible writ ers canbe accountablefor their opinions insteadof innocent bystanders who have almost no warning whenthenext letter will be printed andthe next onslaught of phonecalls start? CATHERINER JORGENSEN Sandy |
