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Show r APRIL 13, 1983 Earmarked Mental Health For County Animal Wants Local Say Shelter Expansion On How Spent $32,OQ0 By MARK FOTHERINGHAM - In reFARMINGTON sponse to a growing problem with stray animals, Davis County is going to expand its animal control shelter. PLANS FOR the expansion were presented at a recent County Commission meeting in which Noal Evans, animal control supervisor, accused many pet ow ners of not adequately caring for the protection of their animals. More and more people are letting their pets run free, according to Mr. Evans. He indicated that even though about half of all the impounded animals are eventually exterminated or put to sleep, the number of strays continues to rise. THE NEW facilities will double the present capacity of the animal shelter, according to Com. Harold J . T ippitts who presented the plans for expan- sion. Com. Tippetts expressed surprise at the rate of disposal for stray animals (about 50 percent) calling it a tragic percentage. MR. EVANS responded that only one of every 10 animals brought to the shelter is licensed. He indicated that licensed pets have a much better chance of survival because animal conrol personnel then have an easy way to find and contact pet owners. Dogs seem to be the biggest problem. The shelter presently has 20 kennels; with an estimated 30 dogs coming into the facility each day, however, the cages are often crowded. three dogs to a kennel. By law the shelter is required to house stray animals for at least three days. If a home cannot be found for an animal within three to five days, it must be disposed of in order to make room for the new strays which are coming in, Mr. Evans said. THE EXPANDED facility will have about three times as many kennels and is not likely to ever be overcrowded, he added. The commission set aside $32,000 for construction at the Fruit Heights facility. Another motion unanimously passed to contract with the Weber Basin Job Corps for concrete, masonry and framing work at the shelter. WE HAVE anywhere from 60 to 120 dogs in there at a time, said Mr. Evans, and the Humane Society frowns on having more than two or ANOTHER problem the Animal Control Department is facing is an increased number of livestock animals found $80,000 damage. THAT INSURANCE estimate' is based on wind-storrelated activity that included some roof damage at the Freeport Centers transportation building, with the roof portion dumped onto the adjacent maintenance shop, creating; further destruction, says Public Information Officer Boimie Durrance. Ref damage occurred at Bonatiful High School, where a (Ration of the roof blew off, at entral Davis Junior, where thefibrary roof was removed whilrskylights left their pos- itions at North Davis Junior, Crestview Elementary in Layton and Tolman, and J.A. Taylor Elementary in south Centerville. DAMAGE OF varying de grees was reported at more than half of the districts 70 buildings, ranging from roof leaks at Woods Cross High School to two broken windows at Viewmont High or a security light blown off at the new Farmington Junior High. More serious damage was reported at other schools in- cluding Clearfield High, vent hood over the auditorium and door broken on the football field storage shed; trees down, smashed fence and greenhouse roof off at Layton High; two roof vents blown off at Central Davis; band room vent covers and one north of the media center blown off while trees needing replanting tween Kaysville Junior and Columbia Elementary. OTHER DAMAGE at the Freeport Center included wall and sprinkler destruction while Tolman Elementary found pine trees uprooted in front of the building. Supt. Lawrence Welling ex- - escaped stock animals every year. Last year, however, over 3,400 animals were found outside their fences. MR. EVANS suspects that increased residential develop- ment surrounding pasture lands is causing the increase in escapes. He said when houses are built, frontage fences are usually taken down and secondary fences around the fields are often in such disrepair that livestock can easily break through them. In most cases, the department simply returns the animal to its pasture and cites the owner. If the owner is unknown, however, the animal is impounded and taken to the shelter. If after three weeks the owner has not come in to claim his animal, it will then be sold at a special Sheriff s sale. wandering along county roads. Strong East Winds Blow Out Davis Education Parts of roofs were blown off some of the Davis School District's 80 buildings in last weeks storm, causing, along with other destruction, about The department usually handles about 50 cases of plained the decision for cancelling school April 5, giving students an extra days vacation, noting it was decided driving empty buses before and after pickups could be dangerous. The action was taken only after conferring with Board Pres. Sheryl Allen, District Transportation Director Richard Butler and Asst. Supt. John S. White. SEVERAL schools were without heat or were still too cold for comfortable holding of classes after Mondays power outages, he said, with Mrs. Allen indicating it had been many years since a closure was e necessary although long-tim- residents said that closures were seemingly a constant occurance nearly every year 0 years ago. In fact, the board meeting was a bit cool, for many, because heat had only been restored hours before the evening session at the Farmington 20-3- administration building, tb Kaysville Excited over the arrival of a son, their second child are Mr. and Mrs. Ron Adams. The new addition arrived on March 25 at the LDS Hospital weighing in at 6 lb. 8 oz. and will be named Rory Thomas. At home is a brother, Brady. Small Parcels OK the past several years. Funding will come from separate the vocational monies--no- t weighted pupil unit or monies often used for teacher salaries, he added. He cited a growing district program combined with increased state and national interest, noting both men were "two real fine, outstanding candidates. Speaking of Mr. Ulrich, Supt. Welling said he has a great deal of experience with industry and the state (vocational) office, a broad we background in finance need that kind of leadership. - Christensen has lot of experience in the Davis District, teaching in it for 17 years with the last year AND MR. "a divided between the state - FARMINGTON The State's vocational education administrator will take over the comparable top position at Davis County schools this summer. WALTER E. Ulrich, who presently serves as administrator of the vocational education division of the State Board for Vocational Education, has been named to the position by the board of education. Hell be assisted by Dean E. Christensen, who currently serves as a vocational supervisor for the district. The two will try to fill the shoes being vacated by Clinton Zollinger, who has headed the districts program for two decades and is retiring. if now was not the time to expand the program, a bit, Supt. Lawrence Welling told the board, emphasizing that while the assistant position is new, the position will take slack from several vocational positions that haven't been filled over WE WONDERED vocational office working with youth vocational clubs as well as his district duties. I fully support this recommendation," said Dee Forbes, Layton school board member who also serves as president of the Davis Area Vocational Center. Mr. Ulrich will oversee district vocational programs and while that intertwines with the DAVC, he will not administer that school, a progseparate, ram under Director Jack Shell. MR. ZOLLLNGER first filled the vocational director position when it was created about 20 years ago. Hes worked in the district for more than 37 years. The superintendent called Mr. Zollingers service long and valuable to building our vocational program. I will say that the Davis District has one of the best vocational programs in the state. A great deal of credit goes to him for building that over the years. Echoing those comments was Board Pres. Sheryl Allen who said, I want to publicly state-operat- FARMINGTON - One-ha- lf acre parcels in agricultural zones of the unincorporated county will be allowed under some instances, the county planning commission has decided. ALTHOUGH allowed under recently-enacte- d ordinance, a procedure was needed to consider those desiring a conditional use allowing such parcelling in the zone where five acre minimums are normally allowed. County Planner Barry Burton says we (staff) were simply trying to get some direction how to administer it. The way its written, it is wide open. Anyone who wanted could just apply for conditional use, he explained in a telephone interview. Among those items to be considered when someone applies are: if the division would constitute a subdivision (of three or more lots); that it be on an existing county road; impact on future development and whether or not services (water, sewer, etc.) can be provided. FINANCIAL hardship may also be considered-su- ch as if a farmer wanted to either sell some land to cover a lean year or if that same farmer might want to deed some land to a son or daughter for a home, for example. IN A RELATED matter, the commission decided planners should review existing lots in the agricultural zones to determine if they should be consi- dered a subdivision (having three or more lots) and if theyre nonconforming. Weve got a lot of parcels less than five acres and need to determine if they were subdivisions before we can issue a realthank Mr. Zollinger-- we permit as a nonconforming ize it will be difficult to replace use, Mr. Burton said, noting him. But I feel very confident the three lot figure was laid tb the (of future). down in a 1953 ordinance, tb - Why FARMINGTON should state alcohol and drug officials spend thousands of dollars driving around the state administering a program when it can be done locally for less with more control over where its used? THATS THE question fac- ing Davis County Mental Health officials and county commissioners as they fight for a piece of the $500,000 pie to be utilized for stronger drug and alcohol education programs authorized by the Legislature. Although the bill specifies money should be dibbied out based on number of alcohol outlets in a county, drunken driving citations as well as population, where the county has just over one-tent- h the states total. MENTAL HEALTH Director Russell Williams said state officials are looking at a very strict program of education but he said of that, I dont feel I can go to the school district and demand a (certain) program. Noting a good relationship exists with the board of education and the current drug and alcohol instruction, he con tinued, I think it has to be a cooperative effort. THERES SOME discussion the one half million dollars would go to the school boards and they would determine how to spend it. If it does, I think it will (end up) in the overall budget and we wont see any change, Dr. Williams said, emphasizing he knows the serious budget constraints being experienced by the schools. We feel our educational money should be handled by the counties, County Com. Harry Gerlach Sr., a member of the mental health advisory board, said. We can cooperate with the (school) districts so we can consider (options) and make sure its (funds) being properly used. IT MAKES no sense for people from the state to drive around managing such a program with one board member adding that would probably use up half the funding. With the commissioner indicating "we may be overthe ruled in local say-sboard authorized sending letters emphasizing support for the county control and will seek support from school district officials. DRUG AND alcohol issues occupied much of the agenda in the recent advisory board meeting, as Board Member Betty Moore of Sunset and Jim Kelly, drug and alcohol director, gave a short overview of activities. Noting drug and alcohol programs were formally implemented in the early 1970s and received a boost from state law enforcement moneys in 1975, Mrs. Moore said programs operate now out of Bountiful, Layton and the Clearfield addiction recovery center, with over half referrals from the courts. MUCH OF the problem is getting those afflicted with a problem to admit it within themselves, Mr. Kelly said, to "being responsible for ones own behavior. Some of the most irresponsible people on earth are the biggest abusers. For years we blamed it on w hat was around us" such as family and other environmental factors, he went on. So long as they deny (theres) a problem then they dont have to be responsible. We can work through the clinical (procedures) and get them to accept (the problem) but many move from the program and rationalize (later) that it wasnt that bad. HE STRESSED the killer alcoholic or drug addict isn t only the driver behind the wheel but also the most comin the counmon "alcoholic ty. a housewife, who's addicted to a vanety of drugs. In addition, he said "I'm talking about people who go into jail on a DUI (driving under the influence) w ith manslaughter and then are out in only two months." THE PROBLEM is especially severe with many elderly. Eva Hancock added, noting a drug use seminar and program as part of the elderly's upcoming health fair are planned. Chairperson Kaysville Dick Thorderson and son Eric of Lavonia, Mich, were Conference visitors of his mother, Mrs. Winona Thor- derson and other relatives and friends in Kaysville. Eric arrived earlier to spend a week so he may also visit many of his former mission friends. They have now returned to their home in Michigan. Travel Policy Revised By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON A proposed school travel policy limiting trips from one school to three and within the Western United States may see some revision. BOARD OF Education members expressed some question about those suggestions to be reviewed in one of their May meetings as part of a new travel policy proposal. The issue has come to the fore after one high school made a request for trips on the other side of the world while others have asked for extended trips,' g often including side trips. Asst. Supt. Gayle Stevenson noted a three school day maximum is among considerations for trips with a three trip per school limit also posed. I felt BOARD PRES. Sheryl Allen said three (days) was a little low. Id like to see it at day-lon- rent policy where the board has sometimes given leeway-n- ot only past its Oct. 15 deadline for trip requests but on distances, as well. IT WOULD be comfortable to have the board for that final (backing)-b- ut how far should we go? he asked, indicating there might be some flexibility on trips within the state. We (would) have to plan carefully if the limit is imposed, Mr. Stevenson explained, noting that could make it difficult to attend some California functions. Tak- ing students out of school should be taken with much concern. three-school-d- Limiting travel to the Western U.S. brought comment from Ray Briscoe, a former district school teacher. Calgarys (Alberta) is as close as San Diego and it was noted many district music groups have traveled there for competitions. IF A NEARBY side trip can be included without adding days to the time off school, then it could be considered, he added. The practice imposed several years ago that restricts athletic teams from travel, including Cedar City and St. George as off limits, They have many opportunities (for exposure) and theres a tendency to be a following of other students, Mrs. Allen said, recalling a teams St. George visit where many not associated with the team attended. I ASKED high school principals to respond concerning past and present circumstances for travel, Mr. Stevenson said outlining how the proposal was formulated. It is the feeling of the principals that there needs to be some restriction. He said principals are often pressured by parents to pursue a trip request under the cur THERES A lot of pressure from some parents on principals- -I wouldnt mind taking some heat. I would prefer that more (on the board) as policy makers vs. the administration. Athletic teams have many opportunities to have more visability participate locally-th- ey than many other groups, she added. "Id four-fiv- Walter Ulrich Will Head Vocational Ed By TOM BUSSELBERG e. rather implement this than have principals continually having to deal with requests. THERE needs to be more definition as to what constitutes a trip, Dr. Briscoe said, asking if three students attending a seminar in Washington D.C., for example, would be viewed as one of the three school trips. Another angle raised concern from Dee Forbes. Im concerned about gratuities- -a travel agency may say they'll give two free passes for example. If theyre (discounts) offered I think it ought to be shared in tions by everybody vs. two free trips., ,,rr , MR. STEVENSON said such offers vary but emphasized hed support Mr. Forbes feelings indicating policy stipulates no staff may take free gratuities. It might be inappropriate to expect a teacher to foot his own bill, though , he added. I agree it could be a financial burden, Mr. Forbes said. I wouldnt feel bad if (they) shared the funding (raised). TO TAKE a group of students anywhere is a lot easier to teach, a horrendous task-i- ts Dr. Briscoe said, a veteran of three student trips where he said the students knowingly paid his bill. For a travel agency to give a free ticket as a token of their appreciation would be totally wrong. Some teachers supplement (on paying their way) and some local schools (foot the bill), Mr. Stevenson said, adding that issue will be further studied before the May 3 board meeting. Committee Report School Academics Reviewed By TOM BUSSELBERG North County Editor FARMINGTON - There should be a stronger emphasis on reading, writing and government a secondary schools study interim committee reports. AT THE same time, theres concern at the quality of many math teachers in the Davis School District, the board of education has been told in a report from Grant Steed, secondary schools curriculum director. Commenting on findings of the committee that includes six parents from across the country and an equal number of school representatives plus nine district curriculum members. Their task involves everything from suggesting what subjects need to be strengthened to grading, he explained. NOTING physical education was reduced to one-hayear required for 9th grade and lf that math has been moved from an elective to required class, Mr. Steed said substitution of an English-relate- d class in the senior year is still being discussed and will be left as is for the coming year. Current ly, students may take journalism, literature or some other similar course to fill that requirement. Among recommendations arrived at thus far: foreign language offerings should remain the same with additional courses offered as interest and demand grow; in social studies, its recommended the second year requirement include a semester in civics or American government and one semester from other offerings such as world history, world geography, economics, current issues, sociology and psychology; the advanced placement U.S. History and-o- r world history should be maintained and strengthened. IN MATH, recommendations include upgrading cur- rent programs and screening students into the more advanced classes presently available, the board was told, indicating offerings for advstuanced or university-boun- d dents must be maintained adding that additional requirements may be unfair for a section of our pulic school population. Additional high school math requirements would create problems in staffing at all levels." In science, its advised that requirements remain, at least for now, indicating our emphasis can best be directed at maintaining excellent programs now in place. MR. STEED did raise concerns about the present low ratio in driver education classes, at 7 students vs. levels that are often double that in other classes. a It affects the total-th- ats concern, he told the board. current graduation pupil-teach- er 15-1- Addressing the math teacher issue, Mr. Steed said We have some concern about the preparations of some math teachers and said effort on a local and state level should assist that helping there will be a lot of involvement in preparation for math teachers through such programs as the emergency math funding becoming available. BOARD MEMBER Robert FITTING required classes into ony six periods brought expressions of concern, especially from Dee Forbes, Layton area board member, who said students there dont have flexibility to take such courses as LDS seminary. I see so many frustrated students who can't take (courses) they want. Either they cant take a course (due to scheduling) or its not offered." Theres a strong early morning seminary program Mr. Steed said adding additional periods beyond six have been looked at for Layton High but said there seems not to be the interest there has been in the other high schools, such as Clearfield where a strong seven-perio- d option is available. I WONDER if it's a lack of interest by students or speech better. Mr. Steed indicated that is offered as an elective in a separate course with efforts also at (lack of) responsiveness by the administration, Mr. Forbes asked. Tve talked to some students. Theyre concerned about their ability to prepare for university with current scheduling. Layton High School is probably the school with the least offerings," Mr. Steed it into other noted, adding that where McIntosh said there was some feeling about speech classes being offered adding, We ought to be teaching incorporating classes. seven or eight period options are available, theyre "doing very well. He said advantages and faults with the programs will be futher studied. A STRAIN is put on voc0: tional and seminary classes by current scheduling of six periods, for example, Mr. Steed admitted. Area resident representatives on the senior high school curriculum advisory council include: Kay Chandler, Clear- field; Ethalene Cornaby, Layton; Spencer Kinard, Fruit Heights; Helen Cook, Centerville; James Famerand Robert Murray, both Bountiful. School representatives are: Tamara Lowe, Clearfield; Nancy Flemin, Layton; Vivian Stapley, Davis; Fred Brown, Viewmont; Jim Coleman, Bountiful and Bennie Mangus. Woods Cross. DISTRICT representatives are Larry Wilson, social studies; Don Lonhhead. English and foreign language; Bill Hansen, math and science; Jim Hill, physical education, health and driver education; I van Comia, ar; Wayne James, music; Clint Zollinger, vocational; Mary Ann Williams, special education and Mr Steed. |