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Show 2 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, November 19, 1987 Facts Are Ignored On 'City' Issue An editorial in the Deseret News casts blame on Murray, West Valley and West Jordan for forcing the County Commission to Editorial drag Taylorsville-Bennioresidents to the polls again for another decision on the same question" (incorporation). Even if incorporation is defeated again next March, don't expect it to go away. It seems likely to persist as long as neighboring Murray, West Valley City and West Jordan keep threatening to gobble up parts of Taylorsville-Bennion- , it reads. It goes on to suggest that residents of that community can expect a sharp tax in- Letters Murray Thanks DAV Says n has shown insensitivity to local issues. With a planning commission made up of local residents the planning process should be more successful and responsive to community desires. Naturally, the closer government is to the individual, the more control he feels he has. His voice is more likely to be heard by local government officials. He feels his vote and his opinion carries more weight. While the threat of annexation is a key factor in the Taylorsille-Bennioproposal, to place the blame on the three surrounding cities is unfair. It is property owners who seek annexation, not municipalities. Those who are developing significant properties adjacent to existing city borders obviously see some advantage to being part of those cities. The study also indicates that the impact of a Taylorsville-Bennioincorporation on county wide services would be minimal. It is quite likely that the new city will contract with the county for services in much the same manner as Riverton does. That ought to keep county employees at bay in fighting against the proposal. The Green Sheet does not believe that crease. That flies in the face of Phase sulting's statement that II Con- Bennion is in a better financial position than most previous incorporation efforts." Phase II Consulting is the independent consulting firm commissioned by the Salt Lake County Commission to prepare a feasibility study of the proposed incorporation. The study is very detailed and thorough. The editorial also ignores the figures produced in the study that to maintain the same level of services they have now, Taylorsville-Bennioresidents can do so at the same rate or even a slight decrease in the amount of taxes they currently pay. The bottom line of the editorial is that the valley would be better off under some form of Salt Lake a consolidation measure which voters have repeatedly rejected, and will likely face again. It was the threat of consolidation that led to the incorporation of West Valley City, which like Taylorsville-Bennion- , failed the first time around. There are some compelling reasons why many residents have already said they prefer incorporation to the two alternatives - status quo or consolidation. The community planning process is a highly emotional matter. Salt Lake County repeatedly n n - is anyone Taylorsville-Bennio- "dragging" residents of to the polls. It has been five years since the initial vote was taken. At that time it was not in the best interests of the community. Today it appears that it is. We believe the proposal is well thought out and the timing is right. The seems ready to assume control ofcommunity its destiny and as a firm supporter of local governments we hope the March vote will be a favorable one. THUMBS DOWN - To those people who feel they have to throw things when attending a football game. Paper airplanes, taco shells and worse come out of the stands, creating a massive clean-u- p problem and presenting some possible danger to people who get hit. Leave the throwing to the -- ' quarterbacks. . THUMBS UP - To all those with the determination to in the Great America Smokeout Almost half of the nations 54.5participate million smokers participated last year and tor many it was the impetus to quit for good. My Plan For Cleaning Up Politics It's very simple We change the Constitution to limit every holder of public office to one term. Lets make it a term so they have sufficient time to get things done Well add a recall clause so we can get rid of them if they dont meet the expectations of a healthy majority. We eliminate huge salaries. We can pay each public servant a salary that has been deemed fair by a board of competent selectors. (Whatever that means.) Or we determine the median salary in the t nation, state, county or city they rve in and pay them that. That would represent a big increase for city councilmen and legislators and a huge decrease for senators and such a much-neede- deciease The biggest plus might he that people holding office will learn to vote their conscience Of course the di aw back would be that there would be no threat of not being Let's Be Safe Editor: As we ride, travel, walk to visit those we love and to celebrate this most happy holiday of the year - a Day of Thanksgiving and rememberance of our loved ones. Togetherness we share of love, happiness and moments of being together this year. Let us think of this special time this year in sharing and giving of our love to those special children, mothers, fathers and grandparents that we will be safe driving over the road this special season of the year. One for the Loved Dear Lord, before I take my Place today behind the wheel. Please let me come with humble heart Before thy throne to kneel, pray that I am fit to drive Each busy thoroughfare, And that I keep a watchful eye lest some child be there. And And keep me thinking constantly about the Golden Rule When driving past the playground zone or by some busy school, Then when I stop to give someone His right to cross the street Let me my Brothers Keeper be and spare a life thats sweet Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down With apologies to those who didn't win in the recent municipal vote, I submit m plan for cleaning up politics in merica. Kenneth B. Wright Commander n "Taylorsville-- ' City-Count- Editor: Our local chapter of Disabled American Veterans, Holden Chapter no. 8 of Murray wishes to thank the citizens who so generously contributed to the Forget-me-no- t Flower Fund Drive that was conducted during the week of Nov. Especially are we proud of our mayor and city council for their support and patriotic position although members were denied access to Murrays Fashion Place Mall by mall management. A local senior citizens group, the September Clubs of America made a generous contribution just as they did last year and the drive was a success. man Sheeze. Orrin Hatch might cast a vote without Ronnies permission. be able to j Please make me feel this car I drive You gave me to enjoy And that its purpose is to serve mankind - and not to destroy. -- Always remember those we love as we travel the road that it will be safe until we arrive at the doorstep of the one we love. William R. Walton Sandy City Needs Lights Dear Editor: I have lived in the wonderful West Jordan area for two years. But Im afraid one important issue has been overlooked in our community. That issue is street lights in our poorly lit subdivisions and also on the heavily traveled roads such as 1300 West. With winter just around the corner, I feel street lights should be a main concern with the Mayor and City Council of West Jordan. We have children leaving for school in the dark, or people coming home from work in the dark. Well-l- it streets would help discourage theft and crime. It is important for the protection of our families and our community. I believe the cost of the street lights to the citizens would be considered minor compared to the advantages they would bring to our area. Sincerely, Cherly Arnone West Jordan six-ye- It would most likely eliminate people who are in it lor the money . If we like them after their six years, they can try for another office. Incumbency will not be a factor. It should eliminate building of power bases. Trading political favors no doubt will still occur, but perhaps this system will bring about pect 40 percent to keep 60 percent (tax receivers) total- ly on the dole. amAmerica was built by workers, for workers, by bitious for ambitious, and the number of recipients would be millions fewer on the dole. Would you guess that 90 percent on the dole coult not, would not, will not even grow a garden for food? F.E. Draper Salt Lake Safety Concern Aired Dear Editor: Im a concerned citizen whos tired of getting the run around and never finding the right person to hear the problem and do something. From Jordan School District I hear, Its not our problem! Call the city. From the city Im nicely told, Oh yes, its been checked into before, but its nothing we have jurisdiction over. That land belongs to the county. Theres an island of Salt Lake County property in the middle of West Jordan. Call the county. From the county offices I hear two people swear that land doesnt belong to the county and to call West Jordan City. They were at least nice enough to write my complaint down and refer it to the County Highway Dept. I received a call on my day off saying how glad he was to finally reach me. The problem had been researched and that section of land does not belong to Salt Lake County. It needs to be referred to West Jordan City. Im beginning to wonder if the property is getting by without being taxed since no one seems to claim it. That would let the selfish guy in question get by pretty easy. Maybe citizens who are interested need to take matters into their own hands and accidentally run into the fense some snowy day, since do one else can do anything. The problem, which has been with us for many years, lies at the northeast corner of 2200 W. 7600 South. Cars and students walking to West Jordan middle school from 2900 West (6700 to 7400 South) and eastward from 6700 to7600 South all feed into that corner since it is the easiest way to get to the school and avoid Redwood Road. Its a dangerous bottleneck because of a sidewalk area that has been purposely fenced off. Ive lived in several states and other cities in Utah and have never encountered a worse sidewalk problem than in West Jordan. I can handle that and see the results of action being taken now. But I cant handle a sidewalk area purposely fenced off - pushing hundreds of kids a day literally into the street of a very busy intersection. Kids have to walk around the fence into the street and at the time school children are in the area the problem is compounded by traffic related to the -- school. There is an old fence around the barn area that allowed space for the sidewalk and a newer rail fence over the sidewalk area. Is the extra three feet of fenced grass space on land laying usless to the owner worth the life of a child . Ive seen several minor accidents at the,site, buj feai a life will be lost. Its an especially bad problem on snowy days. Theres a small slope before the stopsign. Cars move over to avoid the children leaving no area for other cars to turn. Cars getting back on 2200 West often slide sideways, turning cars slip and slide. Theres a new house on the southeast corner and I worry that a car will go out of control and hit the house. I saw one go that far over before the house was there. One snowy day a young girl sat and cried because she was so scared after nearly being hit. If it was your daughter, would you pay attention I avoid the spot by turning a few blocks north and going through the neighborhood, but thats nopt a good answer. The problem is caused by one person selfishly claiming a few feet of land. If school districts can condemn property an owner doesnt want to sell so a school can be built on it, why cant the city do something to make it safe for children to walk to school Im not going to let this matter drop until I see that fence removed. My children must travel that route for three more years. I cant always drive them to avoid the hazard. Id like to see some safety measures provided for our kids. The sidewalk strip should be extended to the corner and a crosswalk should be painted across 2200 West. Please, wont someone do something for our kids. . . Pat Henrie Too Many On The Dole to keep them in line But it s clear that if vou have live citizens giving input to a public ofticial. he's getting five very different opinions, so he may as well vote as he sees fit While were at it. perhaps we could eliminate political parties. Vou cant tell one H orn the other any more anvvvav Vou talk to anv voter and hell tell vou. I vole for the This space contributed as a public service. I dont know about you, but I get weary of votes being cast along party lines. If I had one wish about the political situation it would be that after listening to input elected officials would simply vote their conscience. We must have thought they had something to offer in the area of competence when we put them in office. It might mean the lobby group that hollered the loudest wouldnt get its way. It might even mean that common sense, common good and common logic was more important than political affiliation. That would certainly be a novelty, wouldnt it? At least our local elections are nonpartisan. Maybe thats why local government is more responsive to the concerns of individuals. Now no doubt there are some major stumbling blocks to my plan. Since I haven't examined all of the ins and outs, I wont suggest that anyone lobby for its implementation. Perhaps its simply the nature of politics that cleaning them up is impossible. I suppose if we got them cleaned up, things would go so smoothly that wed no longer have anything to complain about. That probably wouldn't be so healthy either. Oh well. Dear Editor; In the name of compassion for the elderly, poor, children, teachers, retarded, unhealthy, mentally handicapped our bureaucrats most compassion is for themselves. Yes, for themselves and their cushy jobs in government. Here Norman Riggs, Norman Angus, Susan Dandoy and school boards, prison boards and the elected officials themselves proclaim the further need for tax monies to bless themselves in their positions. Now, I ask, what have these kinds of programs done to the American economy? It is these kinds of programs, coupled with overseas donation and the demand for higher and higher wages by unions, government employees, et al that has brought America to the despicable position of debtor nation, unproductive nation, a nation of people who ex- - West Jordan The Green Sheet welcomes contributions to both Letters to the Editor and As I See It." Letters should be confined to a length of 250 words or less and not contain libelous comments. They must be signed, but the writer's name will be withheld for adequate cause. He welcome lengthier correspondence for possible use as ,4s I See It" commentaries. Primary consideration will be gien to those submitted by people with expertise in the topic about which they write. A brief description of that expertise should accompany the submission. All submissions are subject to editing for space and clarity. They may be addressed to: The Green Sheet, P.O. Box 7187. Murray, Utah 84107. Here Are Some Tips Buying That Holiday Turkey by Helen Irene Harvey When you shop for your holiday turkey there are more things to be aware of than just the price per pound. These things are easy to spot, and will help you feed your family better. Most of us compare the price per pound, which is wise. However, after that it is time to consider other things suggested by M. Dean Baker, retired wholesale meat processor. By the time a turkey weighs about 19 pounds the bones are as big as those in a 23 pound bird. Thus, the extra pounds on the larger bird are all meat. That extra meat can be frozen in moisture-proo- f wrap and then serves as long as six months later. Good savings on your food bill. You can freeze your dressing, too, but in a separate package to prevent spoilage. Mr. Baker adds the following items to consider as you shop. Look for a bird (turkey or chicken) with a wide breast and short legs. Makes for more white meat, but maintains thick drumsticks. More and more stores sell only packaged birds. The) take less handling and, we hope, cost us less. If you buy a packaged bird check the label. It shoulc carry the words young and Grade A. Don t be misled if the label savs yearling A vear old turkey is an old, tough bird. Yearling is good on ly applied to year-olcalves. Avoid Grade B or Grade C poultry. Even at a lowei price than A the B turkey will give your family qUa"ty 'eSS nUtrition thar wouhjSprefer.aSte d you A C bird has been ill or damaged. Perhaps was a bruise and the bruise marks were cut out at thl plant. Sometimes a wing will be missing A meat cutter will tell you those thVn mmah-etha,Vthe Wing was lorn off by the Processor ing the meat was slightly discolored lhosc lh,"es are SSK.SS.1' alw;a-v- good nutHUom s js t0 b.v Grade gd - A and know you are qUal,ty good taste and |