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Show I Voter apathy By DR. GEORGE S. BENSON Although the United States of America Is a republic, many people mistakenly refer to It as a democracy. This is probably because we use the democratic process to elect our governmental leadIn general this means use of the principle of majority rule. But we should never get the idea that the majority of our voters elect our officials. Far from it. The sad fact is that the number of eligible voters actually casting their ballots has been decreasing over the years. In the presidential election of 1960, only 60 percent of persons eligible to register and vote actually did so. And the numbers have been less each election since. In 1980 only 54 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots. The point we would like to make here is that the facts clearly prove the majority of our voters do not elect our presidents. In 1976, Jimmy Carter was elected by only 27.2 percent of the voting age population. In 1980 Ronald Reagan was elected by 27.6 percent. Now what all this means is that our presidents senators and representatives are not being elected by a majority of the people; they are in fact being elected by minorities of slightly over 25 percent of the voting age population. Among the twenty countries in the world which are most democratic in the political processes, the UJ. ranks next to the bottom in voter partiOnly Colombia in South cipation in elections. America has a worse participation percentage than we do. The danger inherent in this trend is that small, minorities can seize control of ers at all levels. well-organiz- governments at whatever level. It has been done in Berkley and Santa Monica, California. Consider these facts: Edward Koch was elected Mayor of New York City in 1977 by only 12 percent of the citys eligible voters. The same year the Governor of New Jersey was elected by 15 percent of the eligibles and in 1978 the Governor of New York was elected by 18 percent of the voters. Similar statistics pertain in the election of mayors and governors all across the land. Such figures are signs of political apathy and history clearly documents that such apathy and complacency will hasten the downfall of nations and civilizations. and With citizenship comes responsibility part of that responsibility of citizenship is being concerned enough about the affairs of your government to: (1) become informed about issues of importance to the nation; (2) speak out on those issues in order that others may be better informed; and (3) vote your convictions in every election. Democracy is a fragile device. To work properly everyone must have a voice in determining the policies of government. The great English philosopher, John Stuart Mill cautioned: "The idea of a rational democracy is, not that the people themselves govern, but that This they have security for good government. cannot means other than have any by security they by retaining in their own hands the ultimate control. If they renounce this, they give themselves up to tyranny. To insure that doesnt happen lets assume our individual responsibility for government by active participation in the election process. with the most likely to be adopted is one which will require a license for all business activity, with fees omitted or reduced depending on proof of a profit and loss statement or other such method of determining the class and revenues earned. HERE'S MORE ABOUT City Council should be set now. Mayor Pettey said, and materials ordered and delivered as soon as Priorities possible. HERES MORE ABOUT Between Swede wont be using his rock again, but to those who knew him, it will always be Swedes rock. -- 0 Thats the way most of the place HERES MORE ABOUT Beaver City should be in good shape to take care of the parks next summer. All agreed that the new mower was faster and did a better job, especially on the Historical and Library Hill park. They passed ordinances 70-and 4 turning BLM property of Big Rock and Tube Hill over to the city for maintenance and supervision. The Milford Lions have accepted responsibility for both areas, which they have been maintaining and improving for the past couple years. Mayor Pettey explained that West Beaver County Recreation District will be on the ballot in the form of Special Service District No. 4. It will provide for a maximum mill levy of one mill for no more than two years to finance a feasibility study. He appointed Russel Mayer and Keith Long to represent Milford City on the five member advisory board If the mill levy is passed November 6th. They were' approved unanimously. Council entered a discussion on business licenses. Raines said the ordinance should be clarified, so that he would not have to arbitrarily determine if licenses should be required of everybody. He cited Instances such as dance instructors, piano teachers, kids selling fish worms, and mowing lawns. The way the ordinance presently reads, everyone who conducts business for profit is required to have a license. "I dont believe we want to keep kids from selling a few fish worms, he said. We need to specify where the line will be drawn. Several avenues were discussed, bed concept, so that as the need arises, overflow acute care patients can be placed in the nura. sing home facility or The need exists in Beaver County because the Milford Geriatric Wing is normally full, and has a waiting list. Both hospitals have consistently worked well together, backing each other up. An exchange and referral system will likely keep both geriatric wings full or at an efficient capacity to make them financially sound, without the need to force nursing home patients to seek care out of the county, as the average age of the countys population grows older. This means that health care dollars will be kept in the county as well as eleminatlng the necessity of loved ones being required to drive long distances to visit family members and friends, allowing them to visit more often. The bonds will be paid off as were the original hospital construction, with a fee attached to each connection fee in the city. The original bonds will be paid off in May 1985, when the city begins paying on the new bonds. It is proposed that an increase of $5.00 per month be added to the present $3.00 fee, bringlngthe total to $8.00 per month. This with net operating revenue will pay the principal and interest over a 15 year period. The public is invited to an open house hosted by the Hospital Board being held in theCivic Center on October 17, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. vice-vers- 84 71-8- names came to be. Somebody or some incident that happened gave the particular area a nickname and it stuck. Some are older than anyone who remembers, why they have that name. But the name passes on from one generation to another. -- 0 And the camp is almost as important as the hunt, as least after youve shot your first buck. And if you should be persistent enough to keep the same camp long enough it may even be known eventually as the (your name) camp. Many deer camps are now well into their fifth generation and some in the into the sixth generation same general location. POSTHASTE P,0. , ct Vr-- rsj-- t to Beaver MltoM, Wat WA, bon MA Telept-Of- Cojfty suiscriftion rates in advance m in AH $10.00 15.00 ELSEWHERE COPY DEADLINES bilin lamm EEIT0P A.HD mm fcJJ tomM trr mm ML Offjre. PER YEAR Ntnm, M PER YEAR MONDAY to vnsaf My 9m tar NOON all wr toaw N.E. 'RED PUBLISHER will m WILSON cspRESrjE:: iEAEP riliSPD OS III fiCTIOl ... 587-25- 72 WKMKl SA1 PXT1C0 .. UZ ZALECri H77-3- 1 VALLEY .. SVE VALLEY tCtfZillWlK.iXilVJ. EEAEP. SPORTS t fVJUJKE EAIS .. ill?A UHZ r.'lFCVIUI JB7-2S- 16 .. EAPEAPA PAYER PSBEPTA r KTjE BESSIE ESVAPSS PEL HEVS 0 Entered s aecorxj citrus e$ter weekly in tte Milford Poet 37 ?4 ; 0473-400- OSES PH Uu'kJtC-- r- said. - --0 Most of us hear what we want to hear. We look for specific positions on specific areas of our'own con- cern. We cant change that. But we can in an atmos- present the debates phere which Is devoid of the Influence of those who peddle the news In such a hurry, that they have little time to be accurate or even fair. MORE ABOUT Property tax Thursday, October 18,1984 Page Beer hunt been the use of the "Help Stop Concerned hotline. Poaching sportsmen and recreationists alike number have utilized the toll-frofficers conservation helping around the state apprehend and prosecute wildlife violators. Be aware of wildlife laws by reading the 1984 Big Game Proclamation. This could help you avoid problems during your hunt. ee NEWS ADVERTISERS WANT YOUR Now this That i Why They Advertise! TELL 'EM RED SENT YA! X, and lower in 1984 would result in an average tax of $815 on this same property. In other words, the assessment and levy changes have caused an average property tax increase of about 7.0 in the 70 cities surveyed. valuations x Ex-La- mill rates Read label and follew direction! Inc .1981 doesnt necessarily mean that its been particularly good hunting all those years. It doesnt even mean that those who camp there, hunt there. But its a good place to come back to after a long days hunt, to warm food, a warm bed and good friends around a campfire. -- 0 Is it possible that were reading too much between the lines. Take for instance the recent debates. With the debates over, the TV commentators come on to analyze what was said believing that the American public is so uninformed or illiterate that we cant interpret for ourselves. -- 0 Now it doesnt make much difference which network is doing the interpreting, one will make a statement about what was said, and the value of it. Then the next will come on and say, "but do you think that was really what was meant. Then he will go on to explain why the candidate said one thing, but meant something else. -- 0 After a bit of reading between the lines, each commentator will then try to evaluate who won the debate. This worked quite well in the first Reagan -- Mondale debate, because there was no scientific poll taken to back them up. It was a simple matter for the camera to pick out partisans to substantiate their posi- - Plastmo - tion. But in the Bush -- Ferraro debate, a scientific poll was taken. And not too surprisingly, it didnt agree with the TV commentators. -- 0 Now debates are one thing but tv debates are nothing more than a live soap opera. If the medium and the League of Women Voters really want to sponsor a debate. It should be done in a neutral, sterile atmosphere. No audience, no commentators or questioners, no moderators just an administrative law judge to assure equal time. If necessary a Marine Color Guard would be allowed to give dignity to the debate and keep the peace if necessary. Then the network aewa ahovs. - for quick, efficient drainage. Plastmos half-rou- nd design makes water gravitate to the raingutters lowest area. This forms a natural "stream for quick, easy drainage right down the middle. Square shaped gutters have flat bottoms and more surface area for water and debris to collect and sit. Plastmo snaps together. Joints are glued with Plastmo Cement to form smooth permanent seals which will never leak or break open. Do-it-yours- With Plastmo. elf LwJCS Available at: 13ooSno3ot? Milford, Utah BUSINESS helps get your bodys own natural rhythm going again. Gently. Dependably. Overnight. That s -x why more families use Pills-than Chocolated or any other brand. Make it your Family Friend. Ex-La- 2 HERES MORE ABOUT The Family Friend? helps your body help itself. EX-LA- an average property tax of $762 last year In the 70 largest cities of the state. The combination of higher In - - USPS on a Milford with a $10,000 assessed vuluation in 1983 totaled $829.10 last year and $816.82 in 1984. Thus the average tax burden declined by 9.98 mills in Milford this year. In Beaver the valuation of a $10,000 home was $634.00 last year and Is $571.00 this year. A reduction of 6.22 mills. According to the Foundation study, the property tax increases experienced this year would have been much greater than they were if it had not been for the actions of the March special session of the 1984 Utah Legislature. The legislation enacted at that time moderated the effect of an earlier Supreme Court decision, which would have required that local valuations be boosted by approximately 46. Such an Increase would have resulted in much higher property tax increases for local property owners across the state. The Foundation analysis indicates that there is a considerable variance in the property tax Property taxes charged home - HERE'S - He said he had authorized pur- chase of a gang reel type mower for the parks, and that with repairs of the other mower, the city newspapers, pollsters, etc. should be prohibited from speculation or commentary for 24 hours. In order to give everyone an opportunity to evaluate for themselves what the candidates said or didnt say. -- 0 As for reading between the lines well, we all do that. But we should be allowed to do it on our not with the help of a own commentator who must by reason of the Immediacy of the electronic media, do so without himself having an opportunity to analyze what was |