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Show THE GREEN SHEET 2 Thursday, February Which Is 18, 1988 It Going To Be? Cuts In Services Or Continued Spending? almost fashionable to complain about the high cost of financing governmental services, yet when any effort is made to cut back on services the public is outraged. We realize that there is waste in government, and we d all benefit if, by magic a way could be found to cut only the waste. But since politicians arent magicians, it is likely that cuts in services will be a necessity if any significant slices are to be made in the federal deficit. It is Such cuts, while necessary, are sometimes painful. Unfortunately, they are becoming a fact of life. The United State Postal Service has announced it will begin reducing window hours one hour each workday at all but two of the post offices in the Greater Salt Lake area, and will also stop collection and sorting of Sunday mail. Along with these cuts, which affect customers, there is a hiring freeze in the administrative area and travel, training, and purchase of supplies have been re duced. Also, cuts in capital expenditures will postpone construction of at least one planned Green Sheet area post office. Postal officials expect that some consumers are going to be unhappy with the reduced hours. Indeed, the hours were increased about 1 8 months ago in response to customer requests. However, Congress has mandated the cuts and we believe the postal service is now acting in a responsible and appropriate manner. These actions will not reduce your taxes. The postal service receives no tax dollars for actual operating costs. Those come from ratepayers. There is some feeling in the postal service that it should be able to use its funds to the full benefit of the ratepayer. All of us use the postal system, and as painful as the cuts might be they are ones that most people can live with. Before we overreact to cuts in service we must remember that its we who have been calling for reductions in expenditures. We simply cant have one without the other. How Much Stock Do You Put In Letters That Are Not Signed? Hiding behind the cloak of anonymity, a Green Sheet reader has managed to ruffle the feathers of your friendly neighborhood editor. And I might add, most of the rest of the staff members here. Not that we dont do our share of that ourselves to you. So perhaps hats good for the goose, as they say, is good for the gander. Unfortunately, you wont be able to read her letter. (Im assuming its a woman by the tone of the letter.) We dont run unsigned letters. On occasion, we withhold the name at the request of the writer. But you probably dont take those letters very seriously, and I cant say that I blame you. However, this particular letter made a couple of points that I felt the readers had a right to know about and since I cant publish the letter because it wasnt signed, I wanted to give an answer to at least one of the The writer of the anonymous letter must be a very beautiful individual. Another objection was to the photo of one of our columnists. She felt it would be a kindness to you, the readers, not to publish' that persons photo. It doesnt meet her personal standards of attractiveness. Our writers come packaged in a lot of different kinds of bodies. Much of what we write can certainly stir up feelings, one way or the other. But what we look like really doesnt have a whole lot to do with what you read. I learned from one reader that I lack personally intelligence. Another columnist should be put out to pasture, I was told. Ill admit, these Sometimes, things sting. They 'often come when your whole world is already upside down. Most of the time we huff and puff and then forget about them. I have found that the ones that are signed tend to be a whole Jot kinder than those that arent. I guess theres something about that cloak of anonymity that gives the writer an extra dose of courage. Actually, we dont OUR READERS WRITE Consider This Think About Be In response to Elaine Jones As I See It, Jan. 28, consider the following: The Planning and Zoning Commission (in West Valley) decision to deny the request of Amy Marcelis to establish a dance studio in her home was correct. The affirmation of this decision by the West Valley City Council showed sensitivity to the issues and persons involved. It was both appropriate and correct. The business to be created from this "hobby" was hardly of the cottage industry variety. It would have produced a not inconsiderable nuisance, as well as a safety hazard, due to increased traffic in an already small The people in the area had indeed paid a premium for their lots $500 plus a substantially smaller lot. In return, they felt they had secured a lot on a low traffic volume street. Ms. Marcelis could hardly have been unaware of this c. - UVU It Wi Magna is the only place in Salt Lake County with a rented library building. Are they telling us that Magna is not good enough to have a new beautiful building like the ones the county is building for West Jordan, Taylorsville and Sandy? There are many disadvantages to the location of the current library such as: it is in an overpressure zone, limited parking and the numerous traffic . accidents on 8400 West and 3500 South. The county had the option of renewing the lease on the current library site for $1.76 sq. foot instead they let the lease expire in November and are now in the process of signing or proposing to sign a new lease for $6 a sq. ft. It doesnt take an accountant to read the figures below and know that Magna has again got the short end of the stick. consideration. May Have Been: The neighbors exercised a legitimate right in $1.76 sq. foot for 10,000 sq. feet, cost per year these economic and safety rights. Why $17,600. protecting shouldnt they rejoice in their victory? Ms. Marcelis Going To Be: can hardly claim she was denied careful and due $6 sq. foot for 10,000 sq. feet, cost per year process. The proposal to give the business a six month trial period was a sham. It was art ill disguised effort to cram an accomplished fact down the throats of the people involved. When was the last time a building was razed, or a business shut down because of zoning violation or a code infraction? The usual response in this country is to grant a variance! It is sad that Ms. Jones cannot perceive that the Marcelis tax advantage would be purchased at the expense of diminished value in the surrounding home. It would materially alter the residential character of the neighborhood. The majority in the neighborhood did not decide what was socially acceptable". It is not, and was not, an issue of social acceptablity. The Commission and the Council considered the views and issues presented and made their decisions. It is totally irrational and juvenile to impugn the integrity of the neighbors by accusing them of jealousy and equating them with Hitler. Wow, what a quantum leap of logic! Ms. Marcelis should try again - but in an area where her "hobby" would not create a safety hazard and a threat to the legitimate economic interests of the neighborhood. It is to be hoped that this matter will cease to be a divisive issue in the neighborhood. -- Sincerely, Lynn Dowding, Sandy -- -- $60,000. Should Have Been: Donated land, building of 12,500 sq. feet. Original cost of material and labor (some labor and craft donated by AFL-CIO- ) Please just think about it. Kerry Phillips Magna Lets Pass HB1 03 To the Editor: I feel that the bill, HB103, should be passed. This could prepare the seventh and eighth graders for high school. This makes them have to pass in order to move up a grade. At Glendale intermediate school in the Salt Lake District they tried a policy similar to HB103. Before they tried it, there were 47 people failing in one class. After they tried it only five people failed. Some of the seventh and eighth graders know that they dont need to pass in order to graduate. This teaches them to be lazy which is hard to change in the higher grades. If HB103 passes the seventh and eighth graders will have to work. This gives them better study habits to help them in the higher grades. HB103 is a good bill to force the high school graduates to learn what they might have missed in Jr. high school. Sincerely, David Whipple Murray We Should Question Operation Of Public Safety Department criticisms. She commented that we managed to give four pages of coverage to the exploits of the areas athletes last week, but have not mentioned the Sterling Scholar winners from the various The latest episode in the saga of the John Singer affair should indicate an urgent need to question the operation of the entire Utah Department of Public schools. Safety. The problem with the Singer family has been dragged out for over 15 years and is not over yet. Theres a good reason for This problem should have been settled She also made an excellent personally know very many of the long ago that. observation about the im- writers who sign their letters, but rather than be extended and exacerbated to the somehow, we feel a bond with point that there were two disasterous confrontations pending Russian invasion. The Sterling Scholar program is with tragic results. Total fiascos. those who share their opinions on an excellent program. The chosen The John Singer problem might But alas, because the letter was this page. Like us, they are justifiably have students have indeed achieved unsigned, we cant even share willing to put their name and been classified as a unique situation had there not existed a long history of abuse of power in various something very fine. And they get that with you. And that wasnt their feelings on the line and the from the thats not always easy, because branches of Utah law enforcement agencies and recognition newspaper that sponsors the the first. We get them all the there are almost as many police departments. Instances where an individual program. You see, the program is time, many of them making different opinions out there as policeman would use his position to force compliance under direct sponsorship of The of an unfortunate person into satisfying his there are people. Besides, when personal that points Id we hear from someone, whether it demands; or the police Deseret News, with I think some excellent would deliberately spook a like to share with all be in a assistance from KSL. You wont personally hapless person into flight and then a whole pack of positive or a negative vein, see the names of winners of our readers. Of course, there are theres one thing we can take police joining in the sport of pursuit. A pursuit that resembled a pack of dogs spooking a rabbit and programs we sponsor in other some that we cant share for satisfaction in: At least theyre reasons of common decency. newspapers. reading it. running it down. In one instance a distraught person was pursued by a pack of police from Currant Creek Junction to Roosevelt, where the pack had decided to terminate the chase. Here there was also tragedy. The pack shot and killed a fellow police officer. By mistake. The officer who did the killing was not charged with murder. Rather, he was reprimanded for an error. Should he have shot and killedcommitting the victim or object of the sport? Its always a Pleasure to go into a business, In another instance a poor confused fellow, whose get a good deal for your money spent and be treated like a valued customer. Such was a recent experience at Supersonic Car only crime was to not understand or speak English, Wash, was spooked and pursued up Emigration Canyon) yuick, courteous thorough and free coffee while you wait We where he was apprehended by the yAtad-thW0Ids "custom,er sendee" but many companies pack, and shot don t and money to do just that serve! Even thoueh and killed. This killing was deemed "justifiable." it makes sense, and dollars. In another instance a young lady was minor difficulties and accepted the assistancehaving of a Utah Highway Patrolman. This officer attempted to use his position to force the young lady into sexual relations. She escaped in the UHP patrol car. : To the Subsequently it was found out that this officer had Cyprus high basketball team. At a recent used his position to force his sexual attentions on game the squad remained on the court during the presentation of several other women who were previously afraid to coiors. The entire team and coaching staff stood at attention and most ot them were enthusiastically or report the crimes against them. complain, the National Anthem. All too singing A St. George police chief was often jocks consider themselves above that. It was a required to refreshing sight after several women complained of the chief resign using his position to sexually molest them. Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down - e THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN: To those who feel that Brighton high school s domination of the state wrestling scene has ruined the sport m Utah. It hasn t been achieved by accident. Bengal coaches have established a youth program that has admittedly paid handsome dividends on the high school level. Theyve gone the extra mile and it has benefitted the kids. Actually theyve set a standard that others should copy, not criticize. UP: To The Utah High School Activities Assn, (and to Hulcrest high school). The Association proved you can stage a state tounmment in a high school setting, save many dollars and still have pe??al event uch of the credit must go to Hillcrest high f officials for the manner in which the event was run. It was first class all the way. 1 I AS I SEE IT In the last election a former UHP officer was accused of using his former position with the UHP to molest women. The above is only a partial list of exposed abuses of power by officers of various branches of law enforcement in Utah. It is frightening to think of the number of abuses of power by Utah policemen that go unreported for fear of the police. Or of the many cases of justice miscarried, or denied, because of fear felt by the victim, or collaboration of the police fraternity. One thing all police officers of all law enforcement departments in Utah have in common is that they are all graduated and, or, certified by the Utah Department of Public Safety, Office of Peace Officers standards and training. In view of the long list of past abuses of power of the graduates of the school for peace officers standards and training it is imperative that the Utah Department of Public Safety have a complete and impartial investigation and review of all personnel, policies, and training procedures. And adequate changes in personnel and training procedures be implemented as soon as possible. Nels A Nelson West Valley we,comes contributions to th Editor" and "As I See It." "Lett, should be confined to a length of 250 words or less not contain libelous comments. They must be sie 10 use as As I See It commentaries. Primary sideration mil be given to those submitted by pe, Hith expertise in the topic about which they writ, ,xpersr p All submissions are to subject editing for space JST |