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Show o 0(0 May Be Time For Those Turf Protectors To Rise Up Again It times do you have to kill How many city-count- Be nice to tourists. We need them. Editorial a snake before it is really dead? Obviously more than once. Or even twice. conThat ugly snake known as solidation has reared its ugly head again. Editorials on a major radio station, newspaper stories and editorial comment tell us that it's time again to consider combining Salt Lake City and County into one governmental entity. This time the downtown interests are warning supporters that they will have to be very aware of the "special interests" who have been responsible for killing the measure twice in 10 years. Those "special interests" are residents of the south and western portions of Salt Lake County who have gone out in force and said, "No, we don't want to be part of a consolidated Salt Lake We're satisfied with municipal government as it is" or "We're happy being part of the unincorporated county. Leave us alone." They are mayors and city who have actively opposed the issue. Pushed by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, those forces are calling the officials of the county's other cities "turf protectors." If that's supposed to be some kind of a dirty word, we hope the mayors out here have thick enough skin to withstand the barbs. Be Nice To Tourists, We y d City-Count- coun-cilme- n Ordinance Should believe there can be some consolidaservices, but we do not believe that bigger is better in terms of local government. Consolidated government would move government farther away from the very people it is supposed to serve. We've already seen that the county can be very unresponsive to local concerns. Witness the recent problems that Hercules has had with the county. The federal system of government is a perfect example of "bigness" and what it can do for you. The need for county government reform should not be construed to be in any way to be an endorsement of consolidation, or whatever term they will use this time around in an attempt to lull the turf protectors to sleep. Let's hope our mayors and other city officials will continue to do all within their power protect us from this threat to render ineffective what has worked so well for so many decades. We as citizens must make our feelings known. The most crucial way is at the polls, but in reality we've done that twice. This matter should not be on the ballot again, but we're betting it will be. We tion of city-count- Be We hope West Valley City officials will homeowner can decide for himself, both in terms of what he personally prefers, feels he can afford and wishes to maintain. The plan calls for the city to withhold providing electricity to those lots where the standards are not met. We find that a blatant misuse of, excuse the pun, power. The Green Sheet thinks the West Valley City Council should scrap the proposed ordinance favor of one that encourages residents to plant trees and makes some developers, A Danger Signal My phone rang at 10:45 p in. with a neighbor asking Was there an election today0'' The nev day a sales associate expressed b's disgust with the low voter turnout and blamed candidates for not putting up more signs. Are you registered to vote? I asked. No, was his reply. That's the most .ontmon response from these quick to advise complatners Maybe with more signs to view they feel like they're participating in the election process. Even registered voters dont respond to signs. Another perspective came from a middle-agefather, It doesn't do any good to vote. They (the politicians) won't listen to you anyway." not listening, the opposite reaction Well, if they being more insidvement is necessary. Certainly not less. Anothei gi at response is I don't get involved in politics. It politics is the administration of public affairs, and the public is nothing more than a mass of individuals including you and me, then we are all involved in politics maIt is a sad time in history w hen the jority of us are more concerned with the NFL, our TV sets, w hat to eat and new fashions to wear, than we are with securing our freedom to continue enjoying these material things The late Ayn Rand, respected novelist wrote 'hat the source ot government's authority is the consent of the governed " This means tha the government is not the ruler, but the servant or agent of the citizens, it means that (tie government as such has no rights except the rights delegated to it by the citizens for a specific purpose. Ezra T. Benson, a respected religious leader writes, If Americans should ever come to believe that their rights and freedoms are instituted among men by politicians and bureaucrats, then they will no longer carry the proud inheritance of their forefathers, but will grovel before their masters seeking favors and dispensations - a throwback to the feudal system of the Dark Ages." Mr. Benson also provides an example of the history of the polit ical cycle worth considering: d r AsISee It the sacrifices our ancestors have already endured. The irony is that it doesn't have to be that way. Our free agency allows us the responsibility to maintain our freedom and abundance or, to allow us to fall to dependency and bondage. We must learn to be aware of our blessings. No nation is as blessed with the material benefits as ours. We as a nation are well clothed, well fed, enjoy the benefits of an elaborate education system, transportation, an abundance of electrical appliances and gadgetry to serve and entertain our slightest whim 24 hours a day. We put too much emphasis on obtaining the material end result than we do on the beauty of our freedom to acquire it. I fear greed and complacency but I have faith in the spirit of man to be free. I have hope that that spirit can be sparked into an awareness of our blessings, and our duty to dedicate a portion of our time to the preservation of those most fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And 1 pray that the spirit of charity for our fellow man (present and future) will encourage our participation in this precious free svsiom of ours which is envied by freedom seekers around the world. -- From bondage to spiritual faith From spiritual taith to courage 3 From courage to freedom 4. From freedom to abundance 5. From abundance to selfishness 6. From selfishness to complacency 7 From complacency to apathy 8 From apathy to fear 9. From fear to dependency 10. From dependency to bondage 1 put us somewhere around 7 or 8. How did you do? testimony to the Constitution of the United States is how these written documents have held together the protection of our freedoms with so little involvement from those who benefit inost-yoand me. But if we allow the historic cycle to hold true, those most precious words on those historic parchments will turn to dust and a generation in bondage will be subject to I A Just produce your li- cense, lady. My horoscope sign has nothing to do with this matter. Anytime an industry can generate tax revenues, its one that should be eiicuu' iged in any way possible to grow. It may mean recognizing that our lifestyle doesnt I appeal to every one. dont believe $100 million in me. of the More than visitors had family incomes over over $40,000. one-thir- d Since our average income is much less than that, we ought to take advantage of having these people in our state. Three-quartesaid Utah was their primary vacation destination; s were extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their trip to Utah. No doubt many of them came to ski, while many others were drawn to our national parks and recreation areas. The information we received didnt get into some of the tourism issues, but there are some that bear looking into. two-third- cant be satisfied with billion tourism industry. We $2 a The goal should be to double it, then triple it within a reasonable length of time. In order to do so, the Utah Travel Council has to be allowed to spend some money to let people know whats here. Unfortunately, our liquor laws are we would have to compromise very much to make it more attractive for outsiders to visit here and to feel more comfortable when they do. The bottom line is that it would be well worth it. don't think they are particularly effective. Some say they actually encourage a person to consume more alcohol than he ordinarily might. It's really not difficult to obtain a drink in Utah, but people have been led to believe it is, so we have an image that has a negative impact on tourism. Now I don't pretend to have the answer. Some have suggested that the Legislature make some different provisions for ski resorts, while others would opt for a total revamp But I That $100 million we get now goes a long way. To multiply it would put us on the road to solving some of our education problems, causing a drop in the taxes you and I have to pay and just generally making Utah a better place to live. And visit. Letters Let Hercules Pay .To n Justice Where Art Thou? 2. But proportions. 1 do think it is a matter that must be looked into by our Legislature. Now, not down the road sometime. so Personally, I dont drink, our liquor laws dont bother Bob Christensen West Valley City of monumental perhaps the time has come. dustry. They are the reason many people dont even bother to give our wonderful snow a try. We have an image around the country thats hard to live down. One that our neighboring state Colorado is only too happy to take advantage of in the fierce competition for the ski dollar. Hick Evertsen is a resident of West Valley and was a candidate for the City Council, losing in the primary. requirements "the city's way or else." There are many cities across the country that have benefitted from such an ordinance and certain landscaping requirements do have considerable merit. We believe that the city planners, developers and citizens can put their heads together to come up with an ordinance that will work to the benefit and satisfaction of all. Landscaping is a matter of personal taste and lifestyle. What is considered attractive by one person, may offend the senses of another. Certainly it should be something a are unhappy with their stay here. Especially as related to the ski in- Rick Evertsen landscaping know ing of our liquor laws. We all that would be an uphill fight of major reason that some tourists the Editor: According to media accounts, these are the facts: West Valley City buys land for $10 million to keep Hercules from moving. Hercules pays West Valley City $375,000 per year in taxes. Interest payments alone are $873,777 per year. West Valley City will recoup the difference of nearly $500,000 per year by taxing light industry that will locate in the area. Hercules employs 4000 people at $170 milion annual payroll. Hercules will move if the buffer zone isn't created. My opinion is that Hercules is bluffing. Moving Hercules would require an environmental impact statement, etc. for wherever they relocate They just completed a major expansion that cost them far more than the amount involved in the purchase of buffer zones. They would have the cost of building a complete new facility. They have already acquired numerous government contracts that would be delayed. Wheie could they get a work force wim payroll as low as Utahs prevailing wages? As taxpayers, why should we finance their liability problems? Is our city council worried at all about the real taxpayers, or merely catering to big business? Is this a effort to buy the votes of Hercules employees at everyone elses expense? How much light industry would be required to pay $500,000 a year in taxes? Would they be taxed so heavily they ( afford to move in? My suggestion would be for Hercules to buy the land themselves. It would decrease their liability costs - - possibly enough to offset the cost of the land. They could construct light industrial complexes to their own standards and recoup their investment through leasing. They would be recognized as a business who solves their own problems. A further suggestion might be for those who would benefit most, the Hercules meployees themselves, to contribute. $10 million over 10 years divided by 4i)00 employees is $21 per month. A final suggestion might be for West Valley City to eliminate their tax of $375,000 for 10 yeras while Hercules paid $10 million for land. If it makes sense to John Newman (West Valley City Manager), to spend $10 million to get back $3,750,000 in taxes, it should make just as much sense to Hercules to spend $10 million to save $3,750,000 in taxes. but does not bind a homeowner to do things dear. Is Reconsidered Editorial reconsider proposed landscape ordinance that dictates to residents and developers where and what kind of trees to plant in the yards of new homes. Many residents are up in arms about the matter and perhaps rightfully so. The Green Sheet believes city officials have a noble and worthwhile goal in mind. Not only would an ordinance aimed at requiring landscaping beautify the community, it would increase property values which would have a mushroom effect on the quality of life in the city. Developers of new subdivisions should expect to participate in an effort to beautify the community. For too long planners have stood by and let rather plain neighborhoods be created throughout the county. However, the proposed plan is far too restrictive and treads on freedoms that property owners in this country hold a Voter Apathy y According to the Utah Travel Council, tourism in 1986 was a $2 billion industry in Utah. That represents a 5.6 percent increase over the previous year. It generated $82 million in state tax revenue and $28 million in local tax revenue. Thats $110 million you and I didnt have to come up with. The Utah Travel Council has released a study on tourism. According to the study, the average visitor to Utah was 44 years old and spend 3.6 nights in the state. Some 10.9 million people, including 315,000 international travelers, visited Utah from May 1986 to April 1987. The greatest number, 2.2 million, came from California. one Need Their Money Dear Editor: A recent experience with the West Valley Police and Juvenile Justice system serving our area was an alarming eye opener, both to myself and witnessing neighbors. We had a preconceived misconception that a crime in process would be promptly responded to and satisfactorily resolved to secure the property and safety of our neighborhood. On Oct. 11, our son, coming home from a date, noticed a strange car parked across the street from our home. As a rash of burglaries and other crimes had recently transpired in our neighborhood he became suspicious and upon investigating, surprised a thief in the process of removing a stereo and other euqipment from my truck. He quickly separated the thief from a large hunting knife laying beside him with a modified handle to make it more lethal. The noise awoke us, and as my wife was calling the police I ran to investigate, finding my son restraining the supect and in full control of the situation. Approximately 15 minutes later help had not yet arrived, so my wife had to recall and was informed there had been a problem with the ad dress information. Shortly thereafter several West Valley Police arrived. They found two more people hiding in the vehicle parked across the street. The tools used and knife were given to the police. Only minutes later, we watched from our home as the juveniles, one being only several days from age 18, left. One with his half brother, one with a female (I assume was his mother) and the other in the would-b- e get away car. They reeked of marijuana smoke, yet the car was not impounded or searched. And no trip was made to the detention center for booking as seems to be an almost standard procedure in DUI or even sometimes unpaid traffic tickets. When 1 complained. I was told by the officer they would not accept them at the detention center until they had used the knife to injure someone. 1 then called the detention center and this was confirmed by them The famous phrase coined by the police in the 60s "Next time you need help, call a hippie brought a new meaning to light. People around us are installing expensive security systems with monthly charges for protection because the justice system cant work with the policies and procedures our own supposed protectors establish for their convenience. no gh. Case nun ers for insur..-"payouts er' A precedence has been established that must be reversed, for our safety, and to deter these young criminals before more serious offenses are committed. Refer to West Valiev Case Case closed on Oct. 11, 1987. ; j A Cartwright Is frustrated property owner, Richard Kemple Caught Dear Mr. Cartwright: Concerning your review last week (Oct. 15) of the movie The Princess Bride, I would like to point out to you that Mandy Patinkin was not the princess. Mandy would have made an interesting princess. Ill admit, but he was much better cast as Indigo Montoya, the Spanish sword-fighte(Robin Wright was the Princess Buttercut.) I do agree with you The Princess Bride is very entertaining and should be enjoyed by all ages. r. Sincerely Linda Oakley Waste Concern Aired Editor: Your recent article and viewpoint on Says She, Oct. 8 on waste control, was very interesting and brought attention to a subject that really does need a closer look. However, I disagree with your approach that the general public can take corrective action, and completely eliminate future problems. In fact, I would speculate that every household in the Salt Lake valley could save their aluminum cans for a week - and it wouldn't compare to a single days waste, by some of the larger corporations in the area. Programs such as this need to begin at business andor government level. For example: Does our local governmentschool system have a waste control program in effect? (Computer paper can be shredded and recycled). How many members of the local business community participate or encourage recycling? (The Boy Scouts used to have paper drives, and maybe some of the local taverns recycle their empty beer cans) Another thing to consider; why don't the salvage (junk) yards do more? I realize this is a business, but the price of scrap iron is not going to go up! Crush it it off - recycle it, and build another battleship! My point is, once the business community andor offices to government begin do their part for waste control, then and only then, can the public be expected to take a genuine interest and make a concerted effort of their ow n. . Thank you, Lloyd F. Larimore i ; |