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Show 2 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, November 26, 1987 O O Too Many People Have Died From the Sixties hit, impair physical abilities. in the Wind: How many deaths will it take 'til they know that too many peo" ple have died Blow in So where does the responsibility lie? If I had an answer, I'd patent it and retire. Ultimately, of course, it lies with every person who operates The tragic and senseless death of a young Murray police officer is one more agonizing shred of proof that something must be done to remove the drunk driver from the road. Jack Elmer and Robert Hall were, ironically, investigating an accident allegedly involving DUI when they were hit by a truck in the last hour of a dark, rainy Nov. 13. The driver of the truck has been charged with automobile homicide, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while intoxicated. Hall is recovering from physical injuries and is suffering extreme mental anguish. Elmer, the first Murray policemen ever to give his life, was buried last week as his widow and two young children struggled to find a way to put their shattered lives back together. an automobile. But many are not getting the message. They simply don't care that they endanger lives and property. When sober, many give lip service to common sense, but that all changes when the effects of alcohol Against Drunk Driving) whereby young people and their parents make a contract that the youth wont drive and the parent wont make a scene when the youngster calls home for a ride also seem to be paying off. Unfortunately, it was a juvenile that was involved in the accident that Hall and Elmer were investigating when the tragedy occurred. I write these words in anger. Angry because when I drive I do not like to honked at continuously for n blocks and then given a obscene gesture as a coup d'etat. This was my experience on that beautiful new concrete road called 4800 South Street. Yes, I like the street. No, I did not like either the honking or the gesture I know The labors of officers like Robert exactly why that driver was honking and why Hall also pay off, though they didnt he was angry at me. He, too, was in a hurry to get home. I was in his way and driving at an entirely unacceptable rate of speed - the speed limit. But let me tell you and him - if he reads such words as this, I drive at that speed on 4800 South for five good reasons, each one good enough to stand on its own. 1) I live on 4800 South and there is a speed sign right on my property. It says 30 miles an hour. I can read; maybe he can't. 2) I drive at 30 miles an hour on that stretch of road because once I was given a speeding ticket within two blocks of my own front door. I thought that sign didn't mean what it said and anyway, at least for me what did it matter for four short blocks? It "mattered" a nice healthy fine, a mark on my driver license and the need to repeat the driver's test when my license expires. 3) I drive 30 miles an hour because I was in an accident about three blocks from my home when the driver coming at me didn't believe those signs were meant to be obeyed. By the time he knew he was coming far too fast, I was forced to swerve into Mash's prevent Murrays tragedy. hedge, scratching the entire right side of my car, and I guess the bottom line is that we he, with his truck, had crashed into the left rear fender have to keep trying. As citizens, educators, parents, friends, law enforcement officers, bartenders and especially as motorists. Jack Elmer died, as have many others, senselessly. The Don Blair Studio went up in flame earlier this year just a few blocks from where Jack Elmer performed his last service to his city. Another victim of well-know- -- -- on-du- - city - make that an entire state - mourns. A It's a tragedy that should not have happened. But it's one that's sure to be repeated again and again. The circumstances will change, but the cause remains intact. Drinking and driving. Robert Halls assignment with the Murray police department is to remove the drinking driver from the road. Murray - and most other law enforcement agencies statewide an agressive program designed to remove impaired drivers from the roadways before they cause an accident. , But they cant be everywhere. While their efforts are sure to save some lives, others will continue to be lost so long as people overestimate their ability to operate an automobile (Parents and Students SADD Must Motorist Observing Speed Limit Be Subjected To This? 312 As I See It take over. Some efforts have been made to hold those who serve drinks responsible. That might seem unfair, but it's at least a step in the right direction. It's an effort to keep the drinking driver off the street by whatever means we can. Theres some evidence that it's helping. Certainly it is better than wringing our hands and admitting we can't do a thing about it. after consuming substances that alter the mind and DUI. too many people have died. . . Must it all be in vain? You must . The efforts of MADD. PADD and decide. Letters False Information Being Given About Sandy's 'Skier Connect' Much heat and misinformation, and very little light or intellection, have been generated in recent letters and pamphleteering in opposition to the 90009400 South "Skier Connect" road in Sandy City. Some of the misinformation indicated that homes would be condemned to accommodate the road, and that the money to construct the road would be taken from education funds. Both suggestions are false - the facts are otherwise. The "Skier Connect" road, in one form or another, has been in he plans of Sandy City, Salt Lake County and Utah Dept, of Transportation planning bodies for over 10 years. About two years ago, as part of Sandy City's involvement community devclopmcntcitizen with planning process (a process highlighted editorial in 19850, the Sandy approbation in a KSL-TCity Transportation committee, composed of citizens and transportation planning professionals, was organized and immediately set out to define Sandy City's most pressing transportation needs. It was recognized by the committee, as it had been by the city, county and state planning groups before, that Sandy and South Salt Lake Valley was in serious need of east-wetraffic corridors, especially from to the mountains and canyons, to carry commuters and tourists. As a result, the committee established as its number one priority the completion of a connector road from 9000 South and 700 East to 9400 South at about 1200 East, dubbed the "Skier Connect" road. Such a road would provide commuters and tourists a direct route from to the canyons, thereby -- Send Good Wishes Poem Is Shared Dear Editor: Debbie Wright, a citizen of Murray, made medical history recently, when after a passionate pleas, she became the recipient of a double lung transplant. Debbie is only the second person in the United States to undergo such a transplant and the first Cystic fibrosis patient to have it. So far she is making excellent progress and the prognosis for survival is good. Her family is extremely proud of her courage and determination. On Sunday, Nov. 29, Debbie will celebrate her 27the bnlhday. It is a birthday she did not expect to expenence and for that reason I would like to encou age everyone to help make her birthday very Mxxi.il bv sending her a birthday card. Your caring thoughtfulness will be most appreciated by Debbie and her family. This is the address to which you can mail your card: "It's nobody's business what I drink, I care not what others think How many laws they choose to write To drink is my inalienable right". - And so he drank till late that night. Then tried to drive with all his might Stepped on the gas and let it go -Down the highway to and fro . . . He took the curve at 50 miles And tried to drive, with a drunken smile. The flashing lights impressed him not -We'll never know just what he thought. And then he hit a friend of mine. guy'd be hard to find) He took a life and left the scene. Was he plain scared or just that mean? Mrs. Debbie Wright University of Mississippi Medical Center Division of Organ Transplants Jackson, Mississippi 39219 (A finer The funeral was sad and tears were shed. Two small souls and the wife he'd wed Were left behind to seek a new life In a strange dimension of toil and strife. If Sincerely Maria Van Dcr Heyden Murray The Green Sheet welcomes contributions there's one lesson we could learn DUI's are a great concern We must unite with forces strong To stop this waste and right this wrong 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 As I See It" commentaries. Primary consideration will be given to those submitted by people with expertise in the topic about which they write. A brief description of that expertise should accompany the submission. Ml submissions are subject to editing for space and clarity. They may be addressed to: The Green Sheet, I.O. Box 7187. Murray, Utah 84107. And so I plead with all of you: "It IS our business and we may sue Those who drink and try to drive When consumption reaches four or five". Mayor LaVar McMillan Murray There's A Whole Going On As I In to both "Letters to the Editor " and "As I See It." Letters Nursing Homes See It All too often when a story about a nursing home hits its an incident of neglect or abuse or some other horror story. It seems a vast number of the general public think of nursing homes as a place people are put to get rid of them or to hide them or a place for old folks to go and die. Well, I think, and I know many others think, its about time we had a story printed that tells of the good and positive things going on inside nursing homes. Theres a whole lot of living going on. What about all the cases of people placed in nursing homes that are expected to die of one cause or another. the news terminal. Three years later They are considered they are still not only alive but living an active life. What about the case of the terminal patient admitted to a nursing home who not only doesnt die but in a matter of a few months is discharged to live independently once again? Ive seen this happen more often than once. Some people have no family or family that for one reason or another cannot deal with an elderly relative. These people need somewhere to go and someone to care for them. Nursing homes provide this need and we as the caregivers become the family " The pnv is not high in a nursing home and it's really not an easy job or the kind of job many people would choose. It takes a special person to do the work of a nurses aide. There are recreational activities going on every day for any and all to engage in. This includes inside the facility and out. Our residents go to the zoo, fair, baseball games, circus, movies and out to dinner, and van rides are one of the favorite outings. Inside we have dances, bingo, current events, exercise groups, balloon volley ball, the list goes on and on. We strive to make the life of our family of the highest quality possible. Remember, not all nursing homes are guilty of neglect or abuse and nursing homes should be judged on their own merits. Remember also that nursing homes are open to the public and the public is invited and welcome to come in and not only see what we are all about but encouraged to become a part by volunteering time and talents. There are a lot of people in need of a visit, a smile, a story or letter read, a listening ear, a hand to hold, a friend! Anyone who has ever taken the time to visit and spend some time finds out just how rewarding it can be to volunteer. The people in nursing homes are wonderful. loving people who have a lot to give. After all, they Acre once young and productive citizens of your community and you never know, you may be taking their place some day. Next time you read or hear a story of nursing homes remember theres a whole lot of living uoingon. sing-a-long- ' I'H,, 11 ig is the nter. V st ' Debbie Holling Rosewood eliminating confusion and enhancing access to Che resorts of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Maps distributed by Snowbird Resort now direct skiers coming from downtown Salt Lake to travel on routes which skirt around Sandy, one of the reasons being the confusion and congestion encountered by skiers attempting to find the resorts traveling through Sandy on existing routes. By any measure, the "Skier Connect" road would traffic flow in Sandy dramatically improve cast-weCity and South Salt Lake Valley; enhance the safety and reduce the travel time of a, large Sandy commuter population, alleviate what has4een labeled by Utah Holiday Magazine as the worst intersection in the state, 9400 South and 700 East, and provide an inviting access for tourists from the freeway to the recreational opportunities of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The State Legislature, in its last session, allocated $1.5 million from the transportation budget (not the education budget) to construct the road. And contrary to assertions, not one house will be condemned to achieve this. Salt Lake County and the state, as well as Sandy City and its residents, will benefit from the "Skier Connect" road, and we look forward with enthusiasm to its early completion. st The Sandy City Transportation Committee Residents Bear Responsibility For Safety On Roadways Yes, Magna residents arc genuinely concerned about safety on 8400 West. The history of this street indeed shows that this issue needs to be addressed. Citizens in Magna have pressured state and county agencies for years to make improvements all along this street. VVe arc still in need of semaphores at busy intersections and completion of the intermitent sidewalk systems throughout the community. Traffic deaths in any community arc an emotional issue, especially when our youth arc involved. V Something docs need to be done. This community needs to continue its united efforts to get the needed changes made on 8400 West. However, the fixing of blame for deaths in our community cries for fairness. No single user of this highway is responsible. The truckers are not responsible as many media reports have hinted. Pedestrians are not responsible, nor is any other individual, group or user. Lot Of Living of my car. I was lucky the damage was no greater, but that good ole 30 mile law would have given us both time to have averted the whole thing. I see cars 4) I drive 30 miles an hour because that for tickets exceeding speed. occasionally getting However, those tickets are not being given during the I never see evening rush hour, and I's sorry to say that that time. at stretch k a police car on that eight-bloc5) I keep to the 30 mile limit because there are kids, people, dogs, cats and ducks in this residential neighborhood and, while none of the above should be on the street, sometimes they are, and that's why the street is posted at the 30 mile limit. Either the speed limit should be enforced, and cars kept to that limit, 24 hours of the day, or they should be removed so that honking and rude gestures could be eliminated. The new 4800 South is a beautiful ribbon of concrete, but even as I write these words, sitting at my window facing the street, about 6 p.m., the cars are racing by continuously . . . and not one is keeping to the 30 miles set by the law. My question. Is there a different speed limit for different times of the day or am I expecting the impossible? With that terrific strip of road, winding its way from State Street to the Diagonal, a lot of cars have found a quick route "home". Let's make it a safe "home" for those of us living there, too. Bradford As I See It are pursuing every avenue available to obtain needed improvements throughout Magna to minimize the potential for any accidents. The support of the community is essential in this, and will be productive. We call upon all users of the public road system to be wise users, to be educators and to be responsible. VVe Jim Meeks Chairman, Public Safety Magna Area Council A recently published list of deaths on 8100 West going back to Jan. 13, 1984 clearly shows that the causes of these tragic deaths is greatly varied and that no single cause is common. The real cause and responsibility may lie with us, the residents of Magna. We at least need to accept some responsibility. Our community is growing. With that comes growing responsibility. Magna is no longer the rural town it once was. It is fast becoming a bustling suburb and this brings with it an increase in population, in traffic and especially the number of school age children. With this growth comes the duty of becoming responsible citizens. We need to be aware of this increased traffic, aware of the many more children walking to and from schools, aware of the school zones and all of the other potential hazards in our streets and neighborhoods. The biggest responsibility we have is education. Education of our young people about the hazard of all streets, about using crosswalks with crossing guards and about cutting across 8400 West as many do every day. We need to emphasize good driving practices. Banning trucks from 8400 VVcst is not an answer. Civic and church groups everywhere need to work with parents to educate everyone to take it upon themselves to be responsible toi their own actions and not point fingers. Accidents happen. This is an unfortunate part of life. 1 Obey posted speed limits. public service message from this newspapei and the' Utah Highway Patrol. A |