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Show Emery County Progress Castle Dale, Utah Tuesday February 20. 2001 HAPPENINGS OPINION Unsafe By PAUL JACOB No mans life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session. No one knows who first said that, but everyone knows its often been repeated. This time of year, when most legislatures go into session, just getting your newspaper in the morning is fraught with danger. I get the worst of three worlds. Living in Washington through no fault of my own, I read not only mind you about the District of Columbias City Council, but also about the legislatures of both Maryland and Virginia. Thats a triple whammy. For instance, I constantly read complaints by the D.C. City Council about the dictatorial control of the city by Congress and the lack of any real representation for the people of D.C. in that Congress. But what does the Council really care about the people? They have routinely repealed election reforms passed by citizen initiative. Now council mem- bers are gearing up to poke the people in the eye once again, this time by repealing the term limits passed by 62 percent of the citys voters. In Virginia, the legislatures been even busier. There is legislation to require school kids to recite the pledge of allegiance, unless they have a religious or philosophical excuse. Were one big happy . On Session nation now! Another bill mandates that we can sledp only in the bedrooms of our home. My wife has complained about my napping on the couch, but I didnt think she had that kind of pull. In Maryland, the legislature has been rocked by numerous scandals with several lobbyists going to prison and politicians looking, well, abundantly corruptible. So how to change the publics view of the Legislature? Legislators could begin by reforming themselves, limiting their own power through term limits, for example. Or they d could legislate some nonsense and declare all corruption healed by legislative decree. They choose the latter, of in triplicate. Now course lobbyists must fill out additional paperwork. Hey, thatll help. there Oh, I almost forgot was another important provision in the law. Lobbyists in Maryland can no longer lobby legislators from prison. Not anymore. The politicians have put their feet down this time. We can all sleep better now. Wait a second what? Well, first you have to realize that theres a culture of corruption created and tolerated by legislators and lobbyists in the state of Maryland. Thats what a judge said last year after yet another scandal and yet another lobbyist went to jail. The bills prohibition feel-goo- 5A against lobbying from prison comes by way of an earlier lobbyist turned convict who simply continued his lobbying practice using the jailhouse and, of course, pay phone his excellent contacts among all the Mr. Clean legislators. I think its as strong a law as we can get, said Speaker Casper Taylor. But Delegate Robert Flanagan points out, They can still shower delegates with dinners and other treats. The saddest cut of all is that Maryland politicians could display the shamelessness to mug for the cameras with their latest phony Band-Ai- d thats just more evidence of the problem. Laws allow us to arrest folks for doing the wrong things; they cant make corrupt people do the right thing. There have been plenty of prosecutions for political corruption in Maryland, but that alone cant bring accountability. The real problem is that like Marylands incumbents their counterparts in Virginia and our nations capitol face no serious competition for their seats. So we get extra servings of their utopian schemes and the abuse of power. Our elected officials are always good for a few laughs, I admit, which isnt really all that funny. (Jacob is the national director of U.S. Term Limits in Washington, D.C.) The Emery County Progress welcomes your bulletin board items for publication. We will publish the item for two consecutive weeks. All entries must be of a nonprofit, charitable, or community service nature. Please mail copy to the Progress at P.O. Box 589, Castle Dale, Utah 84513; or phone it in at Deadline is noon on Fri381-243- Cleveland residents are (1:30-3:3- Cem-eter- 600 E.). 1. day. A Call for at the Museum of the San Rafael at 7 p.m., the On Feb. 22, Emery County Historical Society will present Shirl McArthur as guest speaker who will give the history of the old church mine. Bring guests. An enjoyable evening is freshments, and membership newals and sign-up- rere- s. Emery County Beginning March 6, new' hours at the Landfill will be 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday. Closed on Mondays, New Years Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. PMB126, 1626 N. Wilcox Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028. The deadline is Feb. 24. Great prizes! WatercolorRock Art Feb. 23 - March 23 the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery at Southern Utah University presents a traveling exhibit called The Art In Rock Art featuring watcrcolor artists. Call SUU at Cedar City for more information. Free Oral Screen may receive a free oral cancer screening from a Utah Dental Association dentist durCall your dentist ing Feb. or call UDA (801) You 19-2- 4. 261-531- Licenses 2001 dog licenses are now due and may be purchased at Huntington City Hall or at the rabies clinic which will be held at the Huntington City Fire Station on Feb 24, 9:30 to Noon. Proof of re- quired. Deadline for licenses is March 1. 5. . Know the Signs Knowing the warning signs of cardiac arrest, being prepared for emergencies, is vital in saving lives. For more information contact Southeastern Utah District Health Department at 25 W. Main in Castle Dale. 381-225- 2. Taking Applications Licensing Dog Licenses are due Feb. 28. Rabies clinic will be at City Fire Station on Feb. 24 (9 - Noon). Late fees will be assessed after Feb. 28. Partner Up with Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country. Now taking applications for two homes to be built on lots in Castle Dales Valley View Sub- division within the next 4 years. A chance to own your own home if you are unable to get a 2-- Call for Nominations Huntington City Dog Cleveland Dog License Ten Free Trees Join the Arbor Day Foundation durjpg February and get ten free Colorado Blue spruce trees, guaranteed to grow, shipped post paid. (402) Orangeville Animal Landfill current rabies vaccination is 7. spon- soring a new poetry contest. Send your poem of 21 lines or less to Free Poetry Contest, Historical Society Meets four feature etchings printmakers who have diverse artistic styles. (801)230-754- 474-565- 5. Poems Famous Poets Society is planned including music, re- quired to license dogs by Feb 28. Must have proof of current rabies shots. Fines and late fees will be enforced as on Mar. 1. 0 Rabies clinics on Feb. 24, v at Cleveland the p.m.) Storage Building (200 N. The Utah Humanities Council is accepting nominations for Board of Directors. Forms and job description may be obtained The by calling (801) deadline is March 1. 359-967- 0. conventional loan and willing to work for and on your own home with low mortgage payments at no interest. Need to choose families now! Help choose your own plan. Call (435) 636-323- 0. New Art Exhibit Miss Continental Artists will be interested in the new Utah Arts Council Ex- hibit Under Pressure open Jan. 19 to Mar. 9, at 617 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. This exhibit of monotypes and Pageants Apply to enter the Miss Teen Utah and US Continental contest by calling (561) Deadline is March 1. 837-266- 9. OUT-5 S,, 4- - a&ah, Dito'r Yw HAp lzY." 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