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Show City Skeptical Over UP&L Plan days earlier, Utah Power and Light officials encountered only unbelief and agnosticism. That, at least, was the dominant reaction by city council members to UP&Ls explanation Thursday of its proposed merger with PacifiCorp. Council members listened atten- - by Steve Warren Green Sheet Staff Writer WEST VALLEY. At LDS conference last weekend, much emphasis was placed on faith. But in West Valley City just two Officials Debate Elected Versus Unelected Status said he also favors elected to unelected officials. Elected officials have to compete for their job, and are more likely to perform better, he noted. Democracy is best demonstrated at the local level, he said. Surveyor Carl Larsen said he geographically locates all property in Salt Lake county. The office establishes landmarks for surveyors and maintains files of all surveys performed in the valley. Larsen said the position should remain an elected one to ensure the job will be well done. Sheriff Pete Hayward said his office is a watchdog for problems within the county. It takes over when law enforcement in the cities breaks down. He approved keeping the position an elected one. He said an appointed sheriff only has to keep one person happy; the mayor. An elected official must keep all the people happy or he will lose his posi- SALT LAKE. It was elected versus unelected at the fourth of five seminars on county government in the county commission chambers Monday evening. County Commissioner Michael Stewart led off the discussion about the recent proposal to change the countys form of government. He noted that at the local level personalities are more important. The proposed urban form of government would eliminate five of eight elected positions in county government: the assessor, recorder, clerk, treasurer and surveyor would be appointed positions. The sheriff, attorney and auditor , would remain elected. Stewart opposed this section of ,the proposal. I feel very strongly that we place too much attention on structure and form. Structure is sometimes an alibi for analytical failure, he said. Several county officials were on hand to describe their jobs. Assessor Bob Yates said his department appraises the 240,000 properties in the Salt Lake valley at the current market value. He said the assessor should be elected because of his connection to every property owner. County Recorder Katie Dixon said her position should remain on the ballot because an elected official is easier to get to than an appointed official. She said her office keeps records of property maps, liens, armed service discharges and certification of doctors. Art Monson, county treasurer, tion. David Yocom, county attorney, said he is the legal officer for the county. He prosecutes cases and advises about civil liability. He said the position should remain an elected tively to a presentation by Harold Bullock, Oquirrh district manager, and Dr. Val Finlayson in which the UP&L officials cited several benefits of the merger. These include lower rates (they predicted a 5 to 10 percent decrease over the next four years), long-terrate stability, increased prospects for power sales on the wholesale market, and an ideal power demand relationship which will allow power to be shipped back and forth because the two companies peak at different times. Following the presentation, Councilman Duane Moss repeatedly asked Finlayson to be more specific on how ratepayers would benefit and why a merger was needed to achieve those benefits. After Finlayson reiterated some of the projected benefits, Moss stated, Im not convinced. No sir, youve not convinced me. Mayor protem Brent Anderson then asked Finlayson for further explanation of rate comparison charts showing kilowatt hour costs for UP&L customers versus those of municipal power companies in Utah. Although the charts projected declining UP&L rates and increasrates, Anderson ing municipal asserted that the charts also showed that total costs over the period graphed were essentially equal. Moss then asked about who would decide about future power plant construction in Utah - - UP&L or PacifiCorp& (Note: After a merger, UP&L shareholders would own 43 percent of PacifiCorp.) Finlayson noted that PacifiCorp, the larger company, would certainly have a hand in the decision process. It will be an awful heavy hand, Moss responded. Bullock concluded for UP&L by calling unwise a decision by West Valley City to join the Utah Public Power Cooperative. He asked if West Valley was paying its city attorney to represent UPPC in opposing the merger before the Public Service Commission. City Manager John Newman asserted that the city has not opposed the merger. He noted, however, that were asking questions. Newman later told the Green Sheet, UP&L thinks we dont have a right to ask questions. He said many issues related to the merger are and noted that disconcerting other cities are also asking questions of the PSC. Richard Judd, Nephi city power superintendant, for example, was recently quoted as saying, It is our stand that there is not a thing UP&L can do through a merger with PacifiCorp they could not do without a merger. They can do all they propose to do with an agreement. On Monday, Moss said his comments during the city council meeting should not be construed to mean that he opposes the merger. Moss noted that he simply wants more information from UP&L on merger issues in order to assure that ratepayer interests are protected. Ratepayers should have the first consideration, he said. Finlayson told the Green Sheet that the reaction of West Valley City Council to UP&Ls presentation was quite different than weve received in other cities. He said Ogden and Orem are both supporting the merger and that Salt Lake City recently said it would not join UPPC. He believes efforts by West Valley City to get other Utah cities to join UPPC will be Thursday, October THE GREEN SHEET 3 8, 1987 Nordfelt Gets Some Company 'At The Top' WEST VALLEY. The city police chief here is feeling less alone at the top these days. As a result of a reorganization of the police department approved last week by the city council, Chief Dennis Nordfelt now has two assistant chiefs. In the past the chief has been directly over both the Law Enforce- ment Division and the Administrative Services Division. Now, Terry Keefe is assistant chief for Law Enforcement and Steve Shreeve is assistant chief over Administrative Services. Both are lieutenants. By elevating lieutenants to the appointed position of assistant chief instead of the civil service position of captain, the appointees can be returned to the position of lieutenant upon expiration of their terms or upon appointment of a new police chief. Captains, under civil service requirements, would remain captains regardless of whether they were carrying out functions equivalent to those of assistant chief. Typically, the addition of two appointed positions might mean there are more chiefs and fewer Indians and that the department budget has increased Not so, says Chief Nordfelt. who notes that changes made in the reorganization mean there will be no increase in budget. The number of officers on the street also stays the same, he said. Open House To Highlight Fire Week WEST VALLEY. Open houses and a firefighting competition will highlight this weeks fire prevention activities in West Valley City. Oct. was declared fire preven tion week in the city. In the open houses, firemen will give tours of three West Valley fire stations and will display firefighting equipment. Brochures on fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and on other topics will be available. The open houses run from 9 a.,m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. Fire stations are at 2834 So. 2700 West, 4314 W. 4100 South and Firefighters Muster at firefighters throughout the valley will compete in a bucket brigade, in make and break" (an exercise involving assembly and disassembly of large fire Invitational annual and a dreaded event. West Valley Fire Chief John Blundell said the city will be represented by an elite corps of firefighters. "We will be there to take all the trophies home, he said. The competition will be conducted in the mall parking area and begins at 2:05 p.m. There will also be displays inside the mall. The public is also invited to view fourth hoses) mystery 4160 So. 6400 West. the South Town Mail on Saturday. in this competition, one. An elected (attorney) prevents what could become a hired gun for the county that is not responsible to the people, he said. Yocom also called for establishing an elected district attorney. We need a system of trained legal experts handling state prosecutions, he said. Higher Ed May Be Utah's 'Problem Of The Future' SALT LAKE. The major problem of the 1980s has been the financing of public schools; the major problem of the 1990s probably will be the financing of higher education. This conclusion was reached by Utah Foundation, the private tax research organization, in an analysis of education trends and comparisons. According to the study, the present school finance problems were brought about by rising Utah birth rates in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when birth rates nationally were declining. As a result, public school enrollments in Utah climbed by 32 percent over the past ten years, compared with a reduction of more than 10 percent throughout the United States. Foundation analysts point out that these trends placed considerable stress on available income and resources in Utah. Even though the relative effort to support the public schools in Utah grew while it declined nationally over the past ten years, Utah continued to lose ground to national averages and now ranks last among the states in current operating expenditures per pupil. In other words, Utah has had to make an increased effort to keep pace with rapidly rising enrollments. The nation as a whole, on the other hand, was able to make progress even with a considerably reduced effort because its enrollments were declining. The study indicates that Utah also ranks last among the 50 states in its ability to support public education. In 1986-8personal income in Utah 7 THANK YOU We would like to thank you for participating in our voluntary pay program. Much of our carrier's wage comes from your payment, and If they do a good iob we hope you reward them. We greatly appreciate your support. THE GREEN SHEET 155 E. 4905 South Murray, Utah 84107 Office Hours: Mon.-Frl.- , 8 a.m. Peter Bernhard, Publisher Robert Prince, V.P. Operations Bill Olsen, V.P. Marketing Michele Bartmess, Editor Ethel Bradford, Editor Karen Egll, Circulation Pat Robinson, Circulation Jan Brown, Business - 5 p.m'. was equal to $43,962 per enrolled pupil. This figure was less than half the U.S. average of $88,680 per pupil. This situation may begin to change according to the report. Although total school enrollments in Utah still are rising, the increases have peaked and will be declining in the years immediately ahead. If present trends continue, there will be little or no growth in Utah by the middle of the 1990 decade. By contrast, school enrollments in the nation are beginning to trend upward slightly. While the problems facing public educaiton will be moderating somewhat in the decade ahead, the problems facing higher education in the state will be growing. As the enrollment bulge works its way through the public school system, more and more students will be graduating and seeking a college education. It is expected that the number of students enrolled in the 12th grade will increase by nearly 40 percent over the next ten years. This huge increase in the number of potential college students could place considerable strain on Utahs higher education system. year-to-ye- Arson Probe Centers On Home Here Arson again is being considered as a possible cause of a home fire in West Valley City. On Thursday, firefighters were summoned at 10:01 p.m. to 7105 W. 3500 South to battle a blaze originating in the basement of the home, near a boiler furnace. The fire was difficult to extinguish because it spread through walls and flues. Firefighters remained on the scene for three hours, said Fire Marshall John Blundell. The vacant home has recently been under renovation. Blundell said burn samples from the fire have been sent to the crime lab. Investigators found unusual, burn patterns which often indicate the involvement of flammable accelerants, he said. Fire officials also suspect that arson caused a mobile home fire at 1307 W. 2320 South in West Valley on WEST VALLEY. deep-seate- fF 5 Shaker Sweaters For ASi Occasions Striped Rugbys In Bold Colors Heres the perfect topper for dressing down On the field or off, youll look great in these famous brand rugby shirts made of easy-movi- n polycotton. Choose royal, red, navy, grey and many more! Orig. 30.00 in jeans or slacks and sportcoats! Has an dressing fit with roomy mitered sleeves. Choose your favorite colors from KGs great selection! Completely washable, acrylic. Orig. 25.00 up in mid-weig- ht long-wearin- easy-goin- g g N7 2 d on om Entire Stock of Seifs Bt Sportcoats! Sept. 8. ROOF CONVERSIONS COSTS IITTIE MORE RETARRINO YOUR PRESENT FINANCING AVAILABLE MONEY DOWN 5 YEARS EXAMPLE: IOOO SQ. FT. 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