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Show I WEEKLY REFLEX DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL, OCTOBER 25, 1979 Davis? AonoTxm Dimto By GARY R. BLODGETT FARMINGTON Just when Davis County officials were "ready to come out fighting, Salt Lake City has pulled in its horns and revised its annexation plans which would have included a petition to annex part of south Davis County into Salt Lake City. THE ANNEXATION plan by Salt Lake City was to cross county lines and annex about 792 acres of property in south Davis County which is ad- jacent to Salt Lake City. The proposal came from Salt Lake Citys Master Annexation Policy Declaration a state statute that requires - all cities to declare what areas of unincorporated land they would like to annex into their cities in the future. THUS, SALT Lake City proposed annexing the 792 acres which is located between Interstate Highway 15 and the Jordan River and Interstate Highway 215 and the Davis-Sa- lt Lake County line. Included in the 792 acres is the Standard Oil Company refinery which presently pays $370,000 annually in taxes to Davis County. THE NEW state law declaring intent for future annexations is aimed at lend ing some to support eliminating border clashes among expanding cities. But it does not change any of the previous requirements for annexation of property. The policy of declaration as required under the Legislatures House 1979 Bill-6- 1 states that no city can consider annexation of an area until that area has been iden- tified under the annexation policy declaration. IN THE case of the property in question, both Salt Lake City and North Salt Lake which also borders the uninhave peticorporated area tioned for declaration of Salt Lake City Commission withdrew its declaration of the 792 acres from south Davis County last Thursday after hearing a plan from Davis County officials that they (Davis County) could provide services to the area during any future annexation. AFTER HEARING these arguments, Salt Lake Mayor Ted Wilson said: ' Im a little skeptical about crossing county lines to annex property anyway and I suggest that in the interest of good harmony with our neighbors to the north, we delete this section from our declaration of intpnt for Allstate Invests In Davis County Allstate Insurance Companies have invested more than $520,000 in bonds in Davis County, according to Robert H. Peine, associate vice president for Utah. DAVIS COUNTY investments are part of more than $8,204,000 in bonds held by Allstate in five counties in Utah. Local Allstate investments have helped make possible the Central Davis County Sewer District and the North Davis County Sewer District. OTHER Allstate invest ments in the state include the Rich County School District, Salt Lake County Pollution Control, Sandy City Water and Ogden Neighborhood Development Agency, among OTHER commissioners agreed. But had the commission decided to stick by its guns with serious intent to annex, it would have met with y some problems. First, the annexation would have been protested by North Salt Lake officials and the inter-count- protest would have been reviewed by the Davis County Boundary Committee, which is chairmaned by North Salt Lake Mayor Robert Palmquist. THAT COMMITTEE could have prevented the annexation, or at least raised a legal question. Then if Salt Lake officials were successful in getting the others. It is Allstate policy to support the growth and development of areas in which we do business by investing in local communities, said Peine. We are a corporate citizen in each of the communities in which our - Committees Boundary approval, the annexation proposal would have to go on the public ballot because the cross would annexation county lines. AT THIS time, the majority of Salt Lake voters would have to approve annexation and the majority of Davis County voters would have to give support to into Salt Lake City. The latter, one Davis County wouldnt official observed, have a chance in you know where. A SIMILAR inter-count- our extend declaration thus leaving any future annexation up to cities within Davis County. MAYOR Palmquist pointed out that the refinery and part of the area in question was once a part of North Salt Lake but because of lack of inadequate fire and police protection the citv had to offer at that time. boundaries someday but well do it with property bordering our own ew and prosperity. lameis IP tJOQilS UTAH COUNTIES in which Allstate has invested in local bond issues are Davis, Rich, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber. - A recent University graduate has been named as the new Davis County planner FARMINGTON Utah Courthouse Addition Has Big State over parks and recreation. BARRY of BURTON Weber Pleasant View, County, has assumed duties formerly held by Scott Carter who took over as Layton City Planner Oct. 1. He obtained his bachelors degree in landscape architecture and environmental planning from the Logan school in June and obtained experience working in the buildings and grounds department of the Davis County School District during the summer and on a e basis while attending school. Drip, Drip FARMINGTON - Davis has been and recently remodeled Commissioners said they are pleased that Salt Lake City has withdrawn its Robert Palmquist said, Its so ridiculous, its not even worth discussing. He added: Wed like to offices are located. Like all citizens, we will share in con- County Courthouse DAVIS COUNTY Commission Chairman Glen W. Flint said Its only good business to kill such an idea now rather than have to fight it later." withdrawing their intent, North Salt Lake Mayor y growth county lines or reach beyond our means. ASKED ABOUT the proposed annexation prior to Salt Lake City officials conflict arose in Hooper where there was a proposal tinued city and not try to cross that the entire city which is presently divided into Weber and Davis Counties be annexed into Weber County. Weber County voters approved the annexation, but Davis County voters refused to give approval and the annexation failed. already it has a gigantic leak in its new roof. Vi part-tim- THE ROOF over the newly remodeled portion of the courthouse sprung a leak during last Thursday nights rainstorm destroying, among other things, a lot of paperwork on next years proposed county budget. The water leaked through , Parks and recreational facilities are a very viable need of the county and there is a need for more parks and three floors, coming down directly onto County Auditor Ludeen Gibbons desk where stacks of papers concerning next MR. BURTON said major projects ahead include location of a future regional park and fairgrounds and development of several parks. recreational facilities. In addition to his county duties, Mr. Burton will serve years county budget were located. THE LEAK left water seeping through the roof into the County Community Action Program (CAP) basement. --ini the ' FARMINGTON furniture and equipment. employees without children. disALLEGED THE the in policy crepancy came to light last week when a county employee requested the county to "make up the difference it (county) pays for family benefits compared to unmarried the what employee, or employees with is only one dependent, allowed for health care. BUILDING supervisor Joe Wilcox said he received a call from the county personnel director about the leak. He explained that a roof jack seal apparently did not hold. Maintenance crews have temporarily fixed the leakage area and a permanent seal will be applied later, grb Commissioners explained that even though only a part of the dependents share of the premium is paid by the county, it is a "significant amount" to be concerned. THEY SAID the county pays for all of the employees premium, but only a share of the premium for the extra amount necessary for dependent coverage is paid by the county. Not Really FARMINGTON - About 50 people braved threatening skies and cool temperatures to attend a rally where one former Davis prominent County resident said it takes courage to hold a minority opinion in the county. BETH JARMEN, a former Davis County legislator, was one of three speakers who addressed the crowd gathered on the steps of the County Courthouse Thursday morning in the Library sponsored rally. It would be a lot easier to give in to majority feeling but Library Director Jeanne Layton has opted to fight her dismissal and that takes a lot more courage, she said. Ms. Layton was fired from her library post by a three-tw- o vote of the Davis County Library Board last month. She has vowed to take her case to court, if necessary. SALT LAKE City Library Director Dennis Day and South Davis League of Women Voters President Mary Carter also addressed the group. Moderator was the Rev. Donald Proctor of the Bountiful Community Church. Mr. Day recounted the history of libraries in the nation, noting that Thomas Jefferson was credited, with es- tablishing a pioneer library. The American library is Unique and a cornerstone of government. Its a light of freedom in a world where 87 percent of the countries allow freedom." dont as the Wright Brothers and Andrew Carnegie gained their FAMOUS PEOPLE such education by reading books in libraries, he noted. But the thrust of Hi Hk was directed at efforts to remove the freedom to read, such as was hinted at attempted removal of the book Americana. County Commissioner Morris Swapp, who also sits on the library board, kept a copy of the contemporary novel rather than have it returned to the shelves. The book was reviewed by a professional library staff committee and deemed proper for continued circulation. Donated copies were The IT CONTINUED, League believes the individual citizen liberties were infringed upon when the library book, Americana, was arbitrarily removed from the library with a refusal to return it, even after the book to merit system protection at the time of her firing. A STORY concerning the decision merit appears elsewhere in todays Offhand can you think of anything more impartial than a traffic light? Globe, Mason City, la. -- had been reviewed twice according to established library County Auditor Ludeen and found to adhere to library standards. No single library board member has the right to be procedure . tened where there are people who want to control what people think, Mr. Day, who also serves as Utah Library Association president, said. He added that an Ogden-base- d group wanted to control book placement in public school libraries and used a k system of in neighwatchdogs borhoods. While net referred block-by-bloc- to by name in the speech, Mr. Day identified the group prior to his address as the Citizens for True Freedom. A MEMBER of that group, Sharon Shumway of Layton, is also a library board member. She has repeatedly expressed interest in removing Americana from the shelves. Mrs. Carter read a prepared statement from the League of Women Voters addressed to the Davis County Commission. It read in part: spouse only and an employee with a family would be about $300 per year. MUCH OF this amount is paid by the employee, but the county does contribute, it was League believes democratic government depends upon the informed "The and active participation of its citizens and requires governmental bodies protect the citizens right to know by givadequate notice of ing proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. The League believes active participation from citizens was neither encouraged nor accepted in regard to the recent controversial library board decisions. An appropriate forum for citizen input was not provided or allowed. The local government levels in- .explained. For example, an unmarried employee with no dependents has a monthly premium of $40.10, all of which is paid by the county. TOE COUNTY pays $57.70 per month for its share of a volved proved to be unresponsive to large groups of concerned citizens expressing an opposing viewpoint. These citizens were dismissed as a minority voice." premium for a married employee and one dependent, thus a difference of $17.60 between what the county pays for an unmarried employee and a married employee with spouse only. The difference is a little THE STATEMENT also voiced disapproval of action in dismissing the librarian and in appointment of new board members. greater In difference of $24.40 between an unmarried employee and an employee with a family. HOWEVER, TOE married employee also pays more into die health program. established policies." HE SAID Monday morning an For wait and see what action might come from county officials before making any further moves. Action was expected on the countys part after the County ternoon. The commission had been asked to decide if the former librarian was entitled an this instance, the countys share of the premium is a $64.50 per month ded the Coalition wants Jeanne Layton reinstated and that the library board follow Merit Commission ruled in favor of Ms. Layton in a decision released Friday af- regarding employee with a family. Rev. Proctor said diversity should be expressed and ad- the group would Gibbons said the difference between the cost of an un- married employee or with sole censor. placed on the shelves. OUR democracy is threa- - Davis agree that a health and accident policy that was adopted earlier this year is discriminatory against floor coverings and office By TOM BUSSELBERG By GARY R. BLODGETT County commissioners including tiles, light fixtures, RALLY STAGED IT TAKES COURAGE I Former Davis County Legislator Beth Jarman was among speakers at rally of residents opposed to action ousting Jeanne Layton as county librarian and alleged violation of freedom to read threats. She said courage is needed to hold a minority stand in Davis County. Rev. Don Proctor is looking on. . and aid them in development of planning activities. IN HIS spare time Mr. Burton enjoys photography, skiing and hunting, tb Davis Insurance Policy County officials and insurance adjusters were surveying the water damage rally About 50 people attended the Thursday in front of the Davis County Courthouse where signs were evident such as one stating: Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. as planning consultant to Farmington and Syracuse Commission Ponders office, through the floor of the CAP office into the auditors office, and through the floor of the auditors office on the main floor to the justice of the peace office 'located BARRY BURTON unmarried employee, there is no contribution by the employee. An employee with a spouse only pays $25 per month and employees with families pay $45 per month, it was .explained. BUT THERE is still a discrepancy," argued Comm. Ernest Eberhard Jr. Because the county is putting more tax money into the program for a married employee than one who is single. Commissioners Glen W. Flint and Morris F. Swapp agreed. COMM. EBERHARD said he felt it was unjust and perhaps not legally right for the county to use taxes to aid a married employee with a family more than an married employee. - un- Its discriminatory against those dont have families. Comm. Flint added, Weve got to do something to rectify this mistake. If we dont, someone could end up taking us to court and probably have justification for dowho ing it. to BUT REFERRING minutes of the meeting of Jan. 6, when the new policy was adopted by the commission, County Attorney Rodney Page said that the proposed program was not discriminatory because the same program was offered to all employees. "Yes, it was offered to everyone, said County Clerk But it was Rodney Walker. not equal for everyone and I argued at that time that the program was not fair and was discriminatory against an unmarried employee. I still think its discriminatory because some employees dont have a spouse or family. TOE PROBLEM originated when the county changed from a private insurance firm to the State Employees Health and Accident program. Comm. Eberhard urged the commission to renew the contract as soon as possible (July 1, 1980) and at that time have the county responsible for coveragej of only employees. I DONT think we (county) should subsidize rearing of families and that is what we are doing under this program, he said. Commissioners took under advisement what amendments, if any, should be made for coverage during the past ten months. THEY HAVE agreed to meet with the County Employees Committee to further discuss the matter. current Meanwhile, employees have until Nov. 1 to sign up for family coverage under the present program. After that, there will be only one signup per year, on Oct. 1, for employees desiring the county health and accident program. |