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Show WEEKLY REFLEX DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL, FEBRUARY 14, 1980 "Plan (CONTINUED FROM FRONT) Without a guarantee of some sort. Bountiful. Kaysville, have a market for the surplus power. Murray and other Utah cities AAUW Will have indicated that they may have to pull out of the IPP and gej their power elsewhere. Feature Two In Community Affairs KAYSVILLE The Kaysville Branch of the American Association of University Women will feature two Bgaara PfaeisGly Attack By City Mayors Oi Leaders NORTH DAVIS LEADER. FEBRUARY 14, 1980 lead- ers in community affairs at their regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 21. at the home of Mrs. Stephen L. Graves in Kaysville. John Janson. regional planner for Davis County and local communities, will discuss Planning Issues Facing the Community. MR. J ANSON, a graduate of the U. of U.. received his master's degree from Ohio State University in city and regional planning. He was vice president of Millard Consultants of Salt Lake City before coming to Davis County as a planner three in the planning division. He is primarily involved with future planning in the county dealing with such issues as a master plan for Val Verda. planning for future in the county, a transportation master plan for the unincopo-rate- d areas of Davis County and proposals to forestall or eliminate problems that may accompany community growth. HE WORKS actively with the Kaysville Planning Commission. He was responsible, under the direction of the city council, for formulating the Community Development Block Grant which Kaysville recently received. He will discuss commercial and multifamily development in the AAUW meeting. Marily Kelsie will explain the purposes and goals of the Information and Referral Service for Davis County of which she is count coordinator. The I and R Commission keeps abreast of the number, variety and restrictions of available services in both public and private sector in the county and shares this information with anyone who needs their help. MRS. KELSIE is a graduate of the U. of U. in sociology. She is married to Brent Kelsie, and they are the parents of two boys. Mrs. Kelsie is presei-dent-ele- ct of the Bountiful Theater Guild and is active in the PTA in Bountiful. As coordinator of 1 and R Advisory Commission, she is a member of the Council on Aging: the board of Community Action Program and the CETA Council (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act). program to make contact with wider business interests and also plans to form a voluntary action agency to coordinate volunteer activities for Davis County. Sc.:p Citizens Fto Detfcj The regular monthly meetof the Happy K-- senior citizens club of Kaysville will ing F hold their regular monthly at 2 p.m. in meeting on Feb. the high school cafeteria. THE SUGGESTED donation for the dinner is $1.25 per person but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Entertainment will be furnished by some of the members of the club. There will also be a drawing for door prizes. We invite all persons aged 60 and over to come out and enjoy the afternoon with us, whether you are a member or not. The dues are $2 a year. If you have not been called by 21 Thursday evening, Feb. 14, call one of the following numbers. FARMINGTON, Minnie Lund. Kaysville. 867-218- 1: SHE WILL discuss "Goals for 1980 with AAUW.includ-in- g expanding referral agent Vera Rousche, Velma Benton, 3764831 or Emily Ashby. 376-260- 4: 376-213- To Bp: State expenditures in Utah last year were almost precisely equal to state revenue. An analysis of consolidated state finances prepared by Utah Foundation, the private tax re- search organization, reveals that general state revenue collected in Utah during the 1978-7- 9 fiscal year totaled $1,239,127,000, compared with state general expenditures of $1,239,613,000. THE FOUNDATION study shows that state revenue collections in Utah last year rose by $139 million or 12.6 percent. More than$101 million of this gain was accounted for by using tax collections resulting from an inflated economy. Federal aid to Utah increased by $20.4 million, fees and collections rose by $9 million, and interest earnings climbed by $8.5 million, in fiscal 1979. Among the major taxes, the largest gains were recorded by the state income tax (up $38.7 million), the general sales tax (up $35.1 million), and the motor fuel tax (up $15.3 million). INFLATION WAS the principal reason for the revenue increases registered in fiscal 1979. During this period the consumer's price index rose by 9.4 percent. Sales tax and income tax collections are especially sensitive to higher price and income levels resulting from inflation. In fact, income tax collections tend to rise much faster than income changes because of the prog Year For Oimfru. And MeirralElecoirdls ffie tonne ressive tax structure. Foundation analysts point out that the only significant tax rate change made last year was the increase in the motor fuel tax from 7 cents to 9 cents per gallon which was authorized by the 1978 Budget Session. If it had not been for this boost in the motor fuel tax rate, re- venue from this tax would have risen only $1.4 million during fiscal 1979 rather than the $15.3 million actually recorded. THE REPORT observes that the sales tax continues to be the major tax source in Utah. Last year, the state sales tax produced $293.6 million or 23.7 percent of all state revenue in Utah. This was followed closely by the individual income tax which accounted for $226.8 million, or 18.3 percent of total state revenue. Other important tax sources were the motor fuel tax $74.1 million (6.0 percent of total revenue), unemployment $51.8 milcompensation tax lion (4.2 percent), and the cor$32.9 poration income tax million (2.7 percent). Property taxes charged durfiscal period ing the 1978-7- 9 totaled $309.7 million, which was up by $44.6 million, or 16.8 percent, from the amount charged during the preceding fiscal period. The property tax. however, is levied entirely by local units of government and currently is not imposed for state government purposes in Utah. EDUCATION continues to be the number one area of state spending in Utah. Last year state expenditures for educa- tional operations amounted to $524.5 million, or 42.3 percent of all state general expenditures. Included in this total was $167.2 million for higher education operations, $335.6 million for state aid to local school districts, and $21.7 million for other education. In addition, local school districts expended another $28 .8 1 million from funds raised through local taxes and other revenue sources. OTHER STATE expenditures shown in the Utah Foundation study were public welfare $173.2 million (14.0 percent of total state spend$160.4 miling), highways lion (12.9 percent), employ$63.3 million ment security (5.6 percent), and health and hospitals (exclusive of the Uni$59.7 milversity Hospital) lion (4.8 percent). Cease Banda id Tax Reductions The Utah Legislature gives with the left hand and takes with the right hand. The legislators promised a property tax cut. This would be an 18 percent rebate on taxes paid on all primary residences. THE FIRST proposal was to have the county deduct the 18 percent from a home owner's tax bill. The county would bill the state for the balance. This was declared illegal. wisDuring their confused dom the legislators passed a real money saver. The taxpayer would be compelled to deduct the 18 percent from declared income tax payment. Many low income and elderly are not required to file income tax reports. THE PROPERTY tax rebate during 1979 was a fabulous mess. Many low income and elderly did not file for the rebate because of confused understanding. The Intermountain Power Project (IPP). to be con- structed near Delta, Utah, will be taxed by three Senate bills. These are waiting for the Governors signature. One (Senator Bullen. Logan. Utah SB 58) would tax IPP a payment in lieu of property tax. Another (Senator Finlinson. Salt Lake City SB 67) would impose a front money impact payment and also regular payments in lieu of property tax. But the death knell for the twenty-thre- e municipalities who furnish reasonable electricity to their residents in the Bullen (SB 63). THIS BILL imposes an addi- tional 6 percent tax on "gross" receipts of IPP elec2-- tric sales. I imagine the legislative analysts figured this was a way to partially recover part of the proposed 4 percent sales tax reduction on food. I am told Utah Power has also contracted for IPP power. Utahns would receive a food tax reduction and a increase in electric power rates. BOUNTIFUL'S power plant returns a hefty dividend to the residents. We have a lower power rate and the power company also helps to lower the d property tax. Let's cease tax reductions. ban-dai- Halley Thomas ecoinra A "More than five million pounds of aspirin are used annually in the United States, alone." SO SAYS Dr. Robert Soder-berprofessor of pharmacology at Weber State College. Dr. Soderberg will conduct seminar on wise a three-hou- r use of drugs Wednesday. Feb. 13 at WSC. THE CLASS will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the WSC School of Allied Health g, FARMINGTON Theres been at least one Davis County telephone receiver that hasn't been kept on the hook much during the past year. THATS THE telephone at Information and Referral in Farmington. A clearinghouse for those seeking information about anything and. everything, more calls than ever were received. Those in the north end of Davis 10,254 1 and County may call in the south, from 8:30 a.m.-- 5 p.m. A recording takes calls at other times for follow-up- . 825-515- 867-515- 1, I&R Director Marilyn Kelsey said 1979 was a record year for the agency which began operations in February of 1976. Since that time, 24,966 calls have been handled on ev erything from employment questions to seeking a list of recreation for the handicapped. IN 1979, questions on financial assistance, housing, employment and medical needs topped the list of "needs" expressed by those calling in. August and April were months with most calls received. "People are getting ready for school and realize they need financing and also need housing, finding that their lives will once again be more structured. Three calls were received from people apparently thinking about suicide. Mrs. Kelsey related the case of a woman last summer who talked about committing suicide. SHE WAS very low. We put her in touch with Davis County Mental Health. She has a job that is usually held by a man and the other men where she worked were making fun of her for so long, that she quit. She is a former alcoholic, as we well. But on follow-u- p found she is doing the same y thing but for a different com-pan- and the men have accepted her. And she in turn ' got help for a friend. I&R receives 75 percent funding from Federal Title 20 programs and the remainder from the United Way. A board of interested county residents has functioned for several years to assist in publicizing and establishing the program. Mary Ellen Smoot of Centerville serves as the chairperson. MAKING OURSELVES known has been a goal of infor mation and referral, Mrs. Kelsey said. To achieve this. phone stickers, cards and post- ers explaining our services were designed and printed." In addition, media coverage helped the program grow along with visits by staff and advisory council members to schools, clubs and local agen-cie- .w: film, s. s: A five-minu- te "Please.. .Tell Me Where To Turn has been produced by Spence Kinard of Fruit) Henderson of. Heights and Centerville at no charge. That film is used along with a film stressing that I&R can assess a problem and make a referral to help alleviate the problem. MYRNA Fountain assists Mrs. Kelsey in operating I&R from Farmington offices, tb A1 Dr.- - Soderberg' says'aspirin Js one of (he most abused over- - drugs because everybody has it around." " u; IT IS one of the major contributors to severe poisoning among our nation's children. he said. According to Dr. Soderberg. aspirin is harmless if taken in normal doses. "But." he said, "an overdose of aspirin can kill just like anything else. MASSIVE use of aspirin is not justified," he added. Dr. Soderberg said his seminar will deal with a wide variety of drugs, such as cold remedies, sleeping aids and common pain killers. IN THE seminar," he said, "we're not shooting at the products per se. We just want the public to be aware of what they will find on the shelves. Dr. Soderberg said another common problem in the abuse of medicine is the storage of all types of drugs. SOME PEOPLE will use d of an antibiotic, only then save it and use it at a later date to treat themselves. We want people to be sensible, WE NEED to know the difference between what is being said about a certain product and what is actually the case." he warned. "For example, he said, "to command high prices for some products, there are companies that add one or two ingredients and several million dollars worth of advertising to con In BOUNTIFUL For those readers who might have watched news on television last Saturday night. I want to say that w hat you saw was only one side of the controversy regarding Utahs mayors and the problems they face with the Intermountain Power Project. THE TV presentation, which appeared more extensive than the usual single-stor- y happening, depicted only one side of the controversy. It showed the mayors as being the "bad guys." not wanting to cooperate with the press. I w as the only newspaper reporter at the Saturday afternoon meeting, and I took an opposite view of the situation. and filmed My views were publicly stated at the meeting but of course were not presented. by Channel 2 FIRST, LETS reiterate what happened in the eyes of Channel 2 newsmen. Then I will give my vetNion of the same situation. Channel 2 news and cameramen appeared at the hearing d of Utah's 24 mayors whose cities have power , plants or power.distribution facilities. city-owne- 19 of 24 were present THE MAY ORS had gathered to discuss a mutual problem: What can be done to prevent proposed legislation from becoming law regarding bills that would heavily tax the proposed IPP power facility at Also to be considered were alternate routes the t Lyndyll. mayors (and their cities) could take to obtain other power resources in the event the IPP could not adequately, and economically, provide power. Previous conversations between the mayors indicated that there were differences of feelings. Some had strong feelings for one reason, others preferred a different course of action. There was no time to spare. THE MAYORS, as a group, were to meet with the governor Monday at noon and two hours later had an appointment with the Intermountain Power Association (1PA) board of directors, legal counselors and staff. The IPA is the governing body. It has the final say. KNOWING THIS in advance, the mayors had hoped without news reporters that they could meet in private taking dow n everything that was said and TV camera lights BOUNTIFUL Mayor Elmer W. Barlow was designated as chairman of the meeting. He told the news media before the meeting that the media would be allowed in the council chambers (of Bountiful City Hall) for part of the meeting and then would be asked to leave. After about 20 or 30 minutes of the meeting. Mayor Barlow announced that the press would be asked to leave at this time since matters to be discussed would involve personalities. THE ATTORNEY for Channcl2 then addressed the mayors, telling them that they had neither the authority or and that Channel 2 camerapow er to exclude the press men and reporters were not leaving. He told the mayors that he had sympathy for them, for wanting to meet without the press, but because of the "Open Meeting" or "Sunshine Law" they were unable to do so. YOU ARE public officials on public payrolls discussing things of public interest." he said. "This meeting is being held in a public building. You have an agenda, you are taking minutes and this constitutes a public meeting." He then told the mayors that if they still attempted to exclude the press, he would file a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union: he would seek their (mayors) removal from office: and they would face criminal sanction. IF YOU throw the press out, what is the public going to think?" he asked. "The public will wonder what you are saying behind closed doors that you don't have the guts to say in an open meeting. "You don't have the right to throw us out and if you do, you'll need a sheriff to do it." to a point. I support the I AGREE with Channel 2 Sunshine Law and its intent to allow public officials the right to meet privately (in executive session) to discuss certain matters including those dealing with using." For further information on the class, call the WSC Division of Continuing Education at 626-677- imOgsnt Care reasonable users of cines." he said. medi- Another problem, according to Dr. Soderberg, is knowing exactly what is in the medicines that are being used. ' FARMINGTON Spiraling costs for care of Davis County indigents has caused the County Commission to join with the state in a cooperative program for the poor. IT WILL cost the county a lot more to participate in the state indigent program, but it will alleviate a lot of the problems and headaches the commission has been facing in re- agreed. Until recently, the county was footing the bill for indigent care. The county had budgeted $25,000 to $30,000 annually for the care but actually spent only about $10,000 yearly. BUT INDIGENT care costs have risen sharply, and many more persons unable to pay their doctor and hospital bills have been turning to the indigent care program. Only a couple of weeks ago, Davis North Medical Center submitted a bill totaling more than $20,000 glaring in their eyes. Channel 2 newsmen and cameramen were there (at Saturdays meeting) with their attorney. They knew they were going to ask to be excluded, that there was little chance of attending the meeting without a fight. is Program one-thir- In By GARY R. BLODGETT THE PURPOSE of our seminar is to help the consumer know exactly what he or she County Joins State In cent years, commissioners Only vince the public that their product is better than another. But in my opinion, that was not the entire reason for the mayors wanting to meet privately. There are several other circumstances involved. FIRST, LOOKING at it from a legal standpoint the but mayors were meeting as a group of elected officials not as a political body with any rights or powers to take official action. What the mayors were doing was obtaining information, from all of the mayors involved, so that they could present this information to their individual councils. THEY WERE not meeting as a council or any other legally constituted political body. Therefore, in my opinion they had the right to meet privately. The Sunshine Law does not apply to these types of gatherings. The "mistake" the mayors may have made was meeting in the Bountiful City Hall Council Chambers, in a public building. IT WAS after learning this that the mayors "packed up their briefcases" and finished the meeting in the living room of Mayor Barlow's home without the press. The mayors also faced another serious circumstance, that of having to assimilate their information and prepare a proposal for presentation to the governor and the IPA board of directors explaining their stand on the IPP crisis. HAD THE press been allowed to "cover" this meeting, this information would have been public knowledge before the mayors even had a chance to meet with the concerned parties. The mayors promised to disclose the highlights of the Saturday meeting after decisions had been reached and a "plan of attack" drawn up for presentation to the mayor and IPA board. THEY KEPT their word. There were interviews granted to both the electronic and news media and a "policy procedure" the mayors adopted to follow was presented to the press before the IPA meeting Monday afternoon. News media have a responsibility to keep the public informed, but they also have a responsibility to allow governments to operate within the realms of honesty and integrity, without undue abuse from the press. four-pag- e for recent indigent care twice the amount it cost annually in past years. Hospitals attempt to collect all they can from a patient or their family. Carol Stout, col- lections manager for Davis North Medical Center said the most recent bills for indigent care were for everything from minor injuries to surgery and amputations. THIS MOST recent claim by the hospital (more than $20,000) is nearly the full amount budgeted for the entire year, commissioners said. Similar claims throughout the year, plus potential lawsuits if the county refuses to pay the claims as the county commission has the authorization to do the total cost for indigent care could become astronomical. according to Comm. Ernest Ebcrhard, who represents the commission for indigent care. In recent months the commission has refused payment for certain types of injury accidents and illnesses because of certain circumstances. FOR EXAMPLE, the commission was faced with a medical bill by an indigent who became intoxicated and fell off a bar stool and broke his leg. inOther alcohol-relate- d juries and illnesses have been denied by the commission. ONE LAW suit pending is for $9,931 by a man who has asked Davis County to pay for treatment of an "accidental" gunshot wound of the chest. Upon legal advice of the County Attorney's Office, the county commission has agreed to join other Wasatch Front counties in the state- sponsored indigent care program. Cost for these services will be $80,000 per year. PREVIOUSLY, the state- -' operated program ran into difficulties because of screening, of applicants eligible for indicare gent support. Now. counties will continue to review and act on all indigent cases submitted to them by hospitals, but the funding will be paid by the state and the state will have all responsibilities of conduct- ing the program, including any law suits that might be filed on s behalf of indigent claimants, it l was explained. -- East Layton j Notice ! t Notice to all developers and residents of East Layton city : We desire to make it known : that the removal of snow in un- accepted subdivisions should : not be construed as being evi- - dence of acceptance or: approval of these subdivi-- ; sions. IT IS the policy of the city of S East Layton to remove snow ; where there are residents irres- - : pcctive of whether the subdivi-- ; sion has had final approval and acceptance or not. and this in j order to facilitate motor trans- - ; portation throughout the city, stated K. Dclyn Y eates. mayor -- 4 of East Layton. Blood Pressure Clinic Set I f OGDEN Abnormal blood: pressure is one of the leading' causes of death but it can be controlled in most cases. s REGULAR CHECKS can: help prevent most of the crip-pling and disability that could -arise from abnormal blood: pressure such as strokes, kid-- : ney problems, heart disease. ; Medication can be pre-- : scribed by your doctor along with diet and activity that will j lessen the chances of these: things happening. Keep track of your blood pressure by reg ular checks on it. 3 E : ;: THAT IS what our free cli- nics are for remember Feb. 28 from 12 noon to4 p.m. Take :" advantage of our clinic for ; your health's sake. |