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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 2003 Opinion 4 A Word from the Publisher By Dentiin Brunner I dont normally write editori- als but I thought it was necessary in light of what the mayor of our fine little town has done this past week. Mayor Kim Lawson sent a letter to the President of the Utah Press Association whining about some articles written by SUN editor Dixie Ilrunner. In his letter the mayor demanded that the UPA somehow discipline her. Dixie is well respected by her feers in the Utah Press Association. She has served on the Boanf of Directors for the past seven years, including the office of President in 1999, only the fourth woman to do so in the 101 year history of the association. Her editorials have earned her first place awards in six of the past 1 0 years for the whole state of Utah. Dixie is an excellent editor and a great writer. The current President of the UPA, Laurie Wynn of the Wasatch Wave, said it looked to her like Dixie was just doing her job. Being an editor in a small town is a very difficult job. Itwouldbe easy to sit back and play it safe, not ruffling any feathers or stirring anything up. But she wont do that. She thinks its more important to keep the community informed on what is going on, the bad, along with the good. Several weeks ago, in another editorial, Dixie commended the mayor and others in town for flying the flags around town for the duration of the Iraqi crisis. In an article in the February 5 edition, Dixie reported that the mayor had requested executive power to negotiate for Kanab Ci ty to get out of the power busi ness. A petition that was circulated in the latter part of 2002 regarding a proposed city ordinance, ...question of electric power supply... was brought lie fore the city council. A majority of the city council had a problem with numerous items in the ordinance. I will bring attention to just one, the sixth item on the petition which stated ...that the form of ballot -- -- Prior to the start of the very next city council meeting, the mayor went on a 15 minute diatribe bl asting Dixie and the S UN for her report and a subsequent editorial. In her editorial Dixie also took the mayor to task for altering minutes ofcity council meetings and for rude treatment of city e employees resulting in an all-tim- lowin morale. She received more positive comments and notes from this editorial than any other she has written, basically all of them saying she hit the nail on the head. Apparently the mayor sees nothing wrong with the way the minutes are handled. Now hes even changing quotes, per the March 25 city council meeting as reported in the SUN by Rachel Tueller. At least he must have decided to treat the city employees better, as we have received several reports that hes changed completely since Dixies editorial. Well, one out of three isnt bad. Then on March 31, 2003, the mayor instituted a Kanab City Newsletter ( a report to the pub- that consisted of five pages. The first page suggested that lic) people attend city council and county commission meetings and there was an article on flying fl ags in support of our troops. The second page was titled rumors, issues, questions and answers. The final three pages included the 15 minute pickle sucking piece in which the mayor blasted Dixie and the SUN. Considering how dire our city finances are, spending taxpayer money on a personal attack seems like a waste to me. Oh, I know, the mayor said that it comes out of his administrative fund. But where doyouthink that money comes from, mayor? At the last city council meet-ingo- n April 22, itwas noted that Mayor Lawsons letter to the UPA was on Kanab City letterhead. This incensed several city council members, who requested that any correspondence that goes out on Kanab City lettersubmitted for consideration by head be brought before the counthe voters shall include the choice cil before being mailed out. To me, Dixie Brunner is a great to either: (i) authorize the city the the to bid of editor, a great writer and a great accept mayor highest responsible bidder and person, while Mayor Kim to enter into a binding agree- Lawson is behaving less than ment for the sale of the system to respectably. such bidder, provided the sale is One last note: I hope the for an amount that is equal to or mayors little stunt doesnt hurt greater than the appraised value Kanabs chances of being the of the system and would be suffi- host for the 2005 UPA Spring cient to satisfy or otherwise pro- Convention. Dixie has been lobvide for payment of all outstand- bying hard trying to get the pubing indebtedness on the system; lishers and editors to come to Kanab for the annual event. or (ii) not accept any bid. Now to me that sounds like Seeing the way our m ayor treats the mayor wanted sole author- the editor of our paper, I cant ity to accept or reject any bid. see why anyone would want to This is what Dixie reported. come here! Letters to the Editor SOUTHERN What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or defamation of character will not be considered for publication. Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for clarity or length. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Limited to one letter per person per month. Long overdue thank you Keep your lawn chemical free Dear Editor: Twelve years ago, a New York Times article (Senate Panel says thatlawn chemicals ham many, 51091) reported findings by a U.S. Senate subcommittee that lawn chemicals are hazardous. The article described how champion ice skater Christina Locek became blind after insecticide Deadlines AAA FRIDAY PM 1 See LETTERS , Page 5 I would Sincerely, Kathy Marshall jk spray from a neighbors yard drifted into Lockes yard while Dear Editor: like to thank everyone that has helped my family during my illness. I am so grateful to be living here in Kanab. I have been so blessed I cant even begin to tell you all I have been given, but I am truly grateful to be able to live here where people care about the person. In todays world this is truly unbelievable. My uncle passed away a year ago and I am so grateful to everyone who brought over or sent cards of condolences. Thank you so much for all you have done for me and my family, even if it was just a smile. Utah News COIOW COUNTRY'S HOME-TOW- N NEWSPAPER The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every Wednesday at 26 N. Main St.. Kanab. Utah 84741 . The SUN serves Karie: County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Please address communications by mail to: 26 N. Main Street, Kanab, Utah 84741 telephone 9) 435-644-290- , fax 435-644-29- 26 or 0, sunewskanab.net. Advertising rates available upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741 Newsstand price is 60c per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Moccasin, Arizona - $25; others - $35 (out of U.S. - $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. . Dennis and Dixie Brunner Publishers and Editor Michael Evangelista SaleslProduction Rachel Tueller Sharlotte Brewer Reporters Receptionist Myrna Cox Valley News Carol Sullivan Postmaster. Send change of address cards to 26 N. Main Street, Kanab, UT 84741 Now online at www.sunews.net -- |