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Show 2 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, Dec. 8, 1988 r r Granite District Doesnt Deserve Finger Pointing On Food Matters We respectfully choose to differ with our esteemed colleagues to the north. A newspapers responsibilities are to inform and enlighten, create a marketplace of ideas, foster public discussion and facilitate the democratic consensus which has guided this nation since the days of the Founding Fathers. A newspaper must guard the publics First Amendment rights and its need to know, serving as a surrogate of the governed in their relationship with those who govern. The Salt Lake Tribune, both in an article Nov. 29 and an editorial Dec. 2, apparently failed to meet those responsibilities. Instead, the Tribune chose to sit as judge, jury and executioner in finding fault with Granite district in relation to the states public meetings law. The editorial calls the Granite Board of Education to task for inviting Marriott Corp. to supply cost estimates for feeding school lunch to the districts 70,000-plu- s students a first step to what might eventually become the privatization of the districts school lunch program. Saying Granite "misunderstood" the law and "undermined the public bidding process," Tribune editorial writers asserted the Granite board "would lose a measure of public confidence" for the "secrecy" which cloaked the proceedings. We respectfully choose to differ with the Tribunes assessment of the situation, its assertions and its conclusions. To make an informed decision, Granite board members need somewhere to start. Asking for rough figures from an acknowledged leader in the food industry gives board memoers a baseline from which to weigh possible policy changes. Paul Warner, associate deputy attorney for the state, called the districts actions "a generous interpretation of the law" - which the Tribune apparently chose to regard as an indication of "a direct violation" of that law. Considering that the Utah code permits closed-doo- r discussions not only for personnel matters (which the Tribune acknowledges) but also for collective bargaining (which the editorial virtually ignores), it is reasonable to assume a major Shift in policy affecting scores of employees would - of necessity - become part of the negotiation process open-meetin- -- OUR READERS WRITE Get The Facte Trying to make demons on public issues that will during contract discussions. best benefit the majority is extremely difficult at Contract negotiations are always a touchy best. My respect and appreciation go to those who business. Tribune editorial writers know that try. My concern is, all too often our appointed and if such discussions elected officials make decisions on public issues which might impact based on the loud expressions of protest coming from jobs - became common knowledge prior to a few very vocal individuals or groups any management decision, possible union who dont take the time to get facts on an issue action might follow. Is it in the public interest before they voice their opinions. Their reasons for to create such a situation in Granite for the opposition are for the most part without any factual basis. sake of a headline? These few vocal individuals or groups also think In addition, Marriott Corp. should be given a bouquet of thanks instead of a snide insinthey represent the majority of those people whose collusion. Taking time to lives will be impacted the most from a particular uation of back-doo- r for Granite is not only public decision. This, however, is generally never the estimates prepare case. it in no way guarantees to Marriott, costly It is unfortunate that the "silent majority" doesnt Marriott would be given a contract to provide make its voice heard more often than just at election it such services ... in fact, might put the comtime. There are many times between election years pany at a competitive disadvantage bewhen decisions are being made that affect our lives cause other companies could have Mawhen elected or appointed officials need to hear the rriotts figures on which to base their own facts representing the best interests of the majority. (presumably lower) cost estimates when and It concerns me greatly to know th.-- public decisions on such issues are zoning, school curriculum, if the bidding process opens on privatization. One of the nations largest food service budgeting, taxes, teacher hiring and firing, etc. are by a few very vociferous citizens companies would have much better things to beingdoinfluenced not have the facts to back their positions. do than cut sleazy deals behind closed that They rely only on clamor to try to influence our doors for such a relatively small contract - a officials and to incite other citizens to join their fact the Tribune should have known before factless protest. pointing fingers at the Granite board. A persons or groups position on a public issue Rather than pointing fingers, Granite as an opponent or proponent should be based should be congratulated for exploring op- either on the facts. The favorable decision should be tions for saving tax dollars. The key words reserved for the side that presents the facts that here, though, are "exploring" and "options" best supports its position and is in the best interest .. no decision has been made to privatize, of the majority. This, is the way the system is and Marriott has certainly not been "dubbed supposed to work. Our public officials must make for a contract" as the Tribune implies. their decisions based on the facts and not let mere The Granite board has historically been far emotion or local unsubstantiated opinion influence their If our officials will do this, more open with both the press and the public than other government agencies. The then I am confident that the best interests of the will be served. press is routinely invited to sit in on execu- majority tive sessions. The Tribune, however, chose Brent H. Scott not take advantage of that invitation, basing its news coverage on second-han- d sources, rumor and inuendo. Response Overwhelming an If Marriotts figures make privatization As members of the Murray Symphony economically feasible option - which has yet we would like to take this opportunity Organization, to be determined the board will undoubtto chank the businesses and citizens of Murray and edly debate the issue in an open meeting ... elsewhere, who have donated services, time and the proper time in which to involve the public money to us during our recent "Quarters for -- -- - -- hard-workin- t -- decision-makin- in the decision-makin- process. g Concerts" campaign. The response has been overwhelming. What we thought might be a faltering organization is now better than ever. Mayor McMillan and the City Councils deciding to grant a proclamation making November Arts Appreciation Day in Murray, and the Arts Advisory Boards including us in their Arts Day we have some programming, gained recognition. Ralph Goff and the The Murray Eagle have been more than generous in their concern and coverage of our events. This had greatly added to our success. Having Jess Burbidge chairman and agree to be our honorary work so hard to help raise funds has also been a fund-raisin- To air every possible direction which could be taken without at least getting some background information (especially when it could mean the loss of jobs) would truly be an irresponsible way for the board to act - possibly as irresponsible as the Tribunes editorial -- stand. g much-appreciat- -V jn, ; We Cant Be Too Rich'Or Too Thin; But Can Be Too Poor And Too Fat B.1, 4art 265-070- fund-raisin- g great asset. 7. 11 (choral and orch.) March 18 (band), April 14 (orch. and choral) and 4 tickets, $3.50 May 13 (band). Ticket prices are $3. each and over 20, $2.50 each. A ticket each; is good for any of the above named concerts. You may obtain tickets from Day Murray Music, Summerhays Music or any organization member. We look forward to seeing you at the concerts. Thanks again for your super support. Our next concerts are Feb. 1-- 0, Maurine Burbidge Murray Symphonie Organization g. -- - - You can never be too rich too thin. g McMillin donated $100, as dCottonwoodHospital s Club Others Gary and Judy Dansie and Sparky donating money or services . City F Mortuary, Day Murray Music, Murray Blooms and Buds Murray Chamber of Commerce, Mu y Floral, The Christensen Center, Key B Education, Commumty Mansion, Murray Gardens Restaurant, Don Blair .. D Printing, Clark . Tnxtto, AMT Printing, Catering and Deli, Kodak Corp., Board, Maria VanDerHeyden, Murray Arts Advisory schools, elementary School Board, Murray Murray Fire Deseret News, The Salt Lake Tribune, Murray and Parks Murray Police Dept., Dept., Murray of residents wonderful Recreation Dept., and the Murray City and beyond. our We have had money raised and donated within we must help know We well. as own organization ourselves if we are to ask the help of others. have We want you all, and any others we may for your' are we how know to grateful missed, received from ticket support. With the money we the concert, 12 quarters we have Nov. our sales at we have donations collected and the generous We will over $4,000. raised now we have received, much needed to use, to buy good this money put music and supplies and to have working capitol lor our upcoming concerts. We want to let you know again of our commitment to serving you with uplifting and enjoyable music. If we can help you with a wedding, promotional, church activity, etc., please call Susan Wright, Correct Course Urged With Salt Lake Countys decision to recognize the Magna Area Council as the official body representing Magna, the time has come for Magna Community Council also to make a decision. Briefly stated, Magna Community Council must decide whether to disband or to hang on. Clearly, the correct course would be to disband. By acknowledging that the Magna Area Council is the legitimate, elected voice of Magna, the Magna Community Council could do much to restore harmony to the community. This does not mean that former members of a defunct Magna Community Council would have to fade into the woodwork or get out of town. On the contrary, perhaps the Magna Area Council could appoint many of them to positions on its standing committees or otherwise extend opportunities for service. Eventually, former Magna Community Council members could even seek to be elected to the Magna Area Council. Not only would dissolving the Magna Community Council resolve a potential legal snarl over similarity in the names of the groups, it would also enable Magna Community Council to torpedo accusations that its reason for existence is to further the selfish interests of its members. We have received many generous donations. Steve and Janiel Bensen of Advanced Turbo Systems graciously donated $1,000 and AT&T, $500. Mayor Steve Warren or Truer words were never spoken. Unfortunately for me, Ive never had enough of either. Thinking of that old saw, started my thought process on some of those other toos in our lives. Too, when used in that context, indicates excess, I guess. Have you ever known a woman who thought she had too many cupboards? I havent. We certainly dont come close to having enough at our house. Let alone too many. How about electrical outlets. Again there never seem to be a sufficient number. And those you do have are invariably behind a the heavy piece of furniture couch, the waterbed, the piano. No kidding. To walk into our home, youd think we didnt have any, because you cant see them. - Could it be that we actually have too much of something Name me a basketball coach who thinks he has too much size. Or talent. Back to the woman. Anyone have too many clothes? is not yet done. matter the what circumstances, its always too hot certain health benefits? Too out of control to stop smoking, eating or whatever vice we resent in ourselves? We all have them. Are you too crabby to enjoy life as you should? No or too cold. Theres too much smog or too much snow. We get too much junk mail and far, far, far too many of that variety of phone calls. Name me one one - Utah school teacher who doesnt have too many kids in hisher class. Cmon. I dare ya. I guess that means we have too few teachers or our families are too big. Or -- Im limiting myself to only three bah humbugs for the entire something. Christmas season. That may be And this column is getting too few, considering my shopping long. 0-. too -3- Shoes? We cant get (or give) too much love or affection, can we? We rarely have too many friends. I only know one person who has too many bedrooms in her home. And since she just moved in, 111 bet she finds a way to use them. Without getting pregnant. We dont very often have too much room in our paper. Usually its a case of not enough. Well never have too many ads. Because for every inch of advertising, we should have about of an inch of space. two-thir- Naturally where theres a positive, theres a negative. Since few of us consider ourselves too rich, we probably think we have too many bills. Were not too thin, so were probably too fat. Everyone is overworked - too much to do. Especially at this time of year. That usually translates to too much stress and being too tired to function well. Then theres lazy. Are we too lethargic to start an exercise so we might enjoy program One day Kevins father came home with a box from a toy store, but it didnt contain toys. In that box were brightly-colore- d plastic letters -all 26 letters of the alphabet. Attached to each letter was a magnet. Kevins dad stuck the letters on the metal door of the family refrigerator. Then he sat on the floor with Kevin and began pulling letters off the door, and naming each letter as he removed it. The father held each letter so Kevin could plainly see it and pronounced each letter distinctly. After he thought Kevin had seen and heard enough, he would say: "Kevin, give me a V. Soon Kevin was giving his Dad the letters he requested. Then Kevins mother, a teacher, showed inch-hig- h the two males in her life how to reverse the procedure. She would display a letter and ask Kevin to name it. After a few of those drills, Kevin could recognize and name every letter in the alphabet. Kevin is only 19 months old. He loves those red, yellow blue, green and lavender letters as much as any toy he owns. Theres a lesson in that. This is a season for selecting gifts, and we should do it carefully. Do we buy only Barbie Dolls, Hot Wheels, G.I. Joe and stuffed items that may be toys discarded within a month? Or do we add an educational item that could give a child something to last a lifetime - like Kevins lesson from the plastic letters? -- -- Variety of Colors & Patterns 4 AcaO q.qc? 0(fco oftfi 903305 2700IWest |