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Show A4 Thursday, September 23, Urn buh? C 1 Davis County Clipper 999 'Golden Guy' needs others Him V;' A S? xv- I wasnt asking much for my football career. I didnt expect to be Gale f, Sayers or Bart Starr or Jim Brown. I just wanted to be Kim Nelson. Kim was one of the stars of my Conference center and hotel greatly needed in Davis County e Pee-We- league football team. He could do anything. He was quick. He was fast. He was strong. He could run the ball, or he could throw it He had that knack for making the big defensive play, and whenever we needed a touchdown, Kim was just the guy to do it. And he did it often Several years ago, Davis County officials conducted a thorough study to determine if there was a need for a conference center in the county. All of their findings pointed to such a need and also indicated an accompanying. nearby hotel would be a necessity to make a conference center successful. Well, it would appear as though the need for such a facility is now. One example readily points that out. A regional barbershop quartet group, which actually includes members from about 10 states, was looking for a place to hold its convention. d of their members reside in Davis County. For that reason, About in the group hoped to hold the convention here. They believed that the many auditoriums at local high schools could accommodate the anticipated audience. They estimated that about 450 hotel rooms would be needed in the North Davis area, where they wanted to concentrate their efforts. However, they came up about 200 rooms shy. That 200 number seems about the amount of rooms that were planned for the Radisson-styl- e hotel that was supposed to accompany the conference enough that we won the league championship. one-thir- center. Surely, this group's example, which happened to come to our attention, is not an isolated case. As the county grows in population, as more businesses move into the area, there is more of a need for such facilities. And there are those groups who do not wish to fight the higher prices or traffic jams that have become a part of the daily fabric in Salt Lake City and surrounding area. In fact, it was the lower cost of hotel rooms in Davis County that helped at least that was their hope. sway the group here Now we know full well that the county is still committed to a conference center. We also know how much Layton City officials would like to host it here. And there are those in the private sector who have been working diligently to that end, as well. In fact, we have been told by several key officials that an announcement about the conference center may be forththey assure us a positive one coming within three weeks, or maybe a month, at the outside. Surely, that news would make no one happier than those who have been working so hard to get everything into place. Let's hope the pieces can finally fall into place. The contractor, Big D, will certainly be happy, as will MHTN Architects, N&S Development, and the many public officials who have worked so laboriously to make this dream a reality. As more and more other areas develop conference centers or related facilities, from Sandy to West Valley to Ogden, it appears as though this county of 231,000 residents also is primed for such a venue. As in the past, we heartily support this proposal and hope that, within a month or two. we can be helping announce those solidified plans to our readers. It's all part of a maturing, grown up Davis County. And, as the mayor of Layton said more than a year ago, there will finally be a place big enough in Layton for him to host a city Christmas party! g policies Recently, the Miss America Pageant has changed its that banned contestants from having been previously married or from having had an abortion. The contest is the organization's and it can do as it pleases, but a message has been sent. The message is that another institution is willing to bend its principles to meet real or perceived changes in public attitudes and values. Often, thats a good thing. But in this case, one possible conclusion is that the Miss America g rule has been wrong all along. Another is that if the contest's rule has been correct for decades that something in the nature of America has changed. The latter is likely to be the case. What it says is possibly not so much about contest organizers as it says about us especially when there is little public outcry about the change. It that so says many of us are getting divorces these days that we cant in good conscience uphold the standards that were once considered normal. It also says that abortion is so prevalent that what was once considered unthinkable is now not only tolerated but honored. A talented person who is by the time shes 21 and who has had three abortions may deserve our admiration for having come through the school of hard knocks. But that individual doesnt seem the kind of person we'd feel comfortable honoring as a role model. As as this example sounds, it appears it could be possible under the new scenario. Without passing judgment on the validity of the contest in general or on the for those are entirely different people who would be affected by the change clear what seems are it we that questions really seeing is that the contest is twice-divorc- Publtshed y Clipper Publishing Kim. Not that by: Co., Inc. I was jealous or any- Salt Lake principal needs more work The warning to Davis School County views expressed in this column are the opinion of the District Superintendent Darrell writer and not necessarily those of the ownership or man- White. Davis High and the school district could be fined if Amy Leo walks on the football field or bas- agement of this newspaper. ketball court this As a grimacing and exasperated year. Ronald Reagan would say, Here we go again... This week's commentary would have been about the atrociously ugly BYU football uniforms. (The new uniforms look like a skeletal or a bad TV test pattern.) This weeks commentary could also have been about the Don believes the Los Angeles Clippers will win the upcoming NBA Championship.) Or this weeks commentary could have featured the four-lettwords the financial misFBI skullduggery surthe or givings rounding Rep. Merrill Cook. (Folks havent heard that type of cussing since the screening of Fargo.) But a Salt Lake high school principal has taken all of these important topics off the front burner, forcing us to return to that issue that has all taxpayers mightily concerned: Should a Downs syndrome child be able to strut her stuff at a high school football game? You may remember the controold Amy versy surrounding Leo. Despite her disability, her parents have attempted to structure a relatively normal childhood for her. er ar Several years ago they enrolled Amy in a dance program, and one Halloween she showed up at a high school football game wearing a cheerleading outfit. The Davis High cheerleaders subsequently invited her to join them on the field, and since then she has been recognized as an honorary cheerleader, spinning, twirling, doing splits and taking high-fivfrom the school's fans. Amy became a fan favorite; at times, parents from other schools would even come out of the stands to hug her. But one Salt Lake principal is not a fan. After a woman principal complained about Amys dancing last year, a male principal joined in this year by asking the Utah High School Activities Association to enforce the rule that forbids non-hig- h school students from participating in a sporting event. Under that provision, the sons of teachers or coaches could not appear on the sidelines or sit next to dad on a basketball bench. Under that provision, a junior high school student couldnt offer water to a football player during a time out. And under that provision, a Downs syndrome youngster cannot smile at the crowd and toss a pom pom during a football game; The Salt Lake principal got his way. The UHSAA sent an official es When an honorable school administrator should be worrying about gang activity or athletic team recruiting or increasing SAT scores, why would he direct his attention to Amy? The official answer would be liability, although thats a ruse since Amys parents would gladly sign an injury waiver. I think it goes further. believe the mans actions demonstrate that he has too much time on his hands. Therefore, I propose Davis County residents ask the Granite School District to do a time management study on their school administrators. Maybe the study would show that the Granite District could save money (and reduce its 1999 property tax increase) by reducing administrative staff and giving its principals more work to do. Maybe the principals could be asked to increase academic learning rather than losing sleep over a disabled kid's leg kick. In the meantime, one Davis County businessman has already offered to pay any fine that comes down from the Utah High School Activities Association. So if you watch a Davis High football or basketball game this season, cheer for Amy. Shes a heckuva lot more inspiring than one bored high school Well, OK. Maybe I was a little jealous. The way I saw it, the only I advantage Kim had over me mean, besides athleticism, looks, perwas size. He sonality and talent was smaller and lighter, which of course meant that he would be quicker and faster, right? But since I was taller and heavier, I figured that meant I would be tougher to bring down. I dominated neighborhood football games because it always took three or four little guys to tackle me. But I never got the chance in Editor Davis County residents are some of the most generous United Way contributors in the state. Most contributors who give to United Way would like their donations to help in the community where they live. This year when you make your United Way pledge, I encourage those who work outside Davis County to designate their donation to the United Way of Davis County on their pledge form. Our United Way will continue to honor designations to other United Ways from those who work here, but live outside the county- The needs in Davis County continue to grow, and this year we are striving to raise $1,050,000 to provide when the ball actually touched my hands. We were running a sweep to my side of the field, and I was out in front of Kim blocking. All of a sudI heard everyone yelling Fumble! at about the same time I felt the ball hit me in the back of my , legs. I turned around to look lor .the ball just as it took one of those weird den, football bounces right up into my arms. I was so stunned and excited that I just sort of stood there. Run! someone shouted from the sideline. Run! i Well, duh! Of course I knew I was supposed to run. I wasn't stupid. I just didnt know which direction 1 was supposed to go. By the time I finally decided, a couple of players from the other team crashed into me, knocking the ball loose. Thankfully, someone from my team was in just the right place to pounce on the fumble and recover it for us. You'll never guess who that someone was. Way to be alert out there, Kim! the coach shouted. Oh, and he had a few choice words for me, too: Fall on the ball. ..whats his name again? Walker? Fall on the ball. Walker! Dont try to pick it up! Youre not a principal. funding for 37 agencies. It is estimated that some 70,000 people in our communities will utilize services provided by United Way of problem. most needed. They review financial and statistical information, visit each agency, and then allocate the funding. This citizen review process assures contributors the agencies are legitimate and the contributions will be used to make the greatest impact. I would like to thank the Cornerstone Companies who have underwritten the total overhead costs for United Way of Davis County, which allows every penny of employee contributions to help people in need. Further, I would like to thank all the people who will make contributions and to assure them their generosity is making a difference. During WWII I was stationed in China where the sanitary measures were poor to Because amoeba cannot live in treated water we in the United States do not suffer agencies this water was the problem It is imperative that donors who work outside the county make sure their donation is designated to help their neighbors in Davis County. As the volunteer Campaign Chairman, I can attest to the wise use of funding in Davis County. Each Editor I read the letters regarding fluoride with a lot of interest. It took me back to earlier campaigns regarding additives to water. There used to be a similar dustup about chlorine in the year, My experience with this chemical was devastating. Actually it was the Davis year. County-funde- d , a Fund Distribution Committee, consisting of 26 volunteers, assesses the needs of the com definitely mine. Ever since then, affinity for the non-existe- with this curse. If you are wondering how much of a problem that is, I will tell you, I went from 240 pounds to 160 pounds in three months. While weight loss is a good thing most programs do not advocate such a loss in that time period. It was several years before I recovered from the effects of the bug. Because preventive medicine is ignored by most people I would like to see our youth growing up with healthy teeth which fluoride insures. Jack E. Binkerd SMSGT USAF RET water. lack of the chemical that was the Please feel free to submit your let- ters to: Editor, Davis County Editor ' I felt a special pslisy Appreciates the news twice each week appreciate the news that Ive estsllrl attars Bountifid I I and not just in athletics. among us In every walk of life there are those who do the dirty work for those who get the glory. Homemakers, laborers, secretaries, paralegals, nurses, tellers and all manner of assistants may not be the first people you think of during any discussion of society's movers and shakers. But without these folks behind the scenes, there is no moving, and precious little shaking. No matter whose face is on the little golden guy. Campaign Chairman Lack of chemical in the that decided to leave the glory stuff to Kim. He was better at it than I was. Besides, I figured I could block for him better than he could block for me. And blocking is important if not especially glamorous. The way I saw it, the face on the trophy may have been Kims, but the ankles were munity and decides what services are Wendell Wild West Bountiful City Administrator United Way of Davis County e lops to glory. Oh, I did have one sweet moment ball carrier! It was at about that point Generosity of public is making a difference Pee-We- league. I was a big guy, which meant only one thing to my coach: offensive line. So I spent the entire season blocking for Kim on his gal- The 1370 South 500 West P.O. Box 267 Bountiful, Utah 84011-026- 7 t D thing. Republican nomination probably . AND GOMPASSIONLESS! BEFORE IW FRIEND HERE GETS UPSET.'! MEAN-SPIRITE- Quixote-lik- e presidential tomfoolery ,of Sen, Orrin Hatch. (Anyone who sends $36 to Orrin and really thinks he has a chance to win the Contest changes are reflections of our own standards, values mirroring the reality of life today. The image is only a reflection of ourselves and our national fabric. question we must ask is. are we proud of what we see? SOP TAX CUT PUM IS GIVE US YOUR MONEY THE Everyone on the team received a championship trophy. I couldnt help but notice that the little golden guy on top of the trophy looks a lot like get from our local area twice a week. I especially like it when you have cool sports stuff. I like the coupons that give discounts on food. David Ilintze Centerville Clipper, P.O. Box 267, Bountiful, Utah 84010-026You also may fax in your letters to (801) 4 or send us an at eztalksklipper-today.co295-304- All letters should contain the author s name, city and signature. We reserve the right to reject letters for any reason and to edit letters for length or content. |