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Show News Opinion Guest Editorial By Avnish P. Pandya M.D. Your editorial of 1121 deserves a comment, not particularly because it was thoughtful or constructive, nor because of the contents being necessarily factual. It needs to be answered because it was a display of shallow and shoddyjoumalism, written in haste and full ofinnuendo and mother knows best attitude. Without research and presenting gossip as the truth, you managed to cast doubts on the integrity and credibility of the entire physician staff serving this community with dedication and very hard work. Yes, the community needs physicians. No, we do not relish the incredible hours we put in. We have families and other interests too, but our spouses and children understand the importance of our work and have chosen to support us in to reveal to you what happens in executive meetings. When we refuse to oblige, you bait us with tantalizing gossip and half truths. For good measure, you invite the public to a meeting for their input. Walla!!!! Democ- racy in action. The truth seeking mob gathers in a tightly packed room. In the name of right to free speech ideas flow freely even if they are absurd. Throw in a petition with a few signatures and we have the appearance of widespread public experts opinion. marvel at themselves for their opinions. In the process, a couple of courageous physicians get trampled. This is no time for reason nor civility. The room temperature is rising. Who cares about quality of care, liability issues with our insurance companies, etc? Like a child throwing a tantrum in a toy store one constant theme is WE WANT A DOCTOR AND WE WANT HIM NOW. A few personal testimonials and the word qualified are Self-appoint- SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27, 1996 ed living in this community. It is ludicrous to imply that egos and fear of competition are the motivating factors in our decision making. That is utter non- added to make their case sense and undeserving of fur- (roughly equivalent of a line dancer judging a ballerina). ther discussion. For one who is ignorant of the Despite the chaos a consensus process, and you obviously are, develops. The game is not going make some effort to become fa- as planned. Let us get new refmiliar before you give a public erees. Perhaps somewhere in opinion that is divisive with no this land are people with infipositive influence on the com- nite wisdom who can tell us what munity. Granting medical staff we want to hear. After all, we privilege is a very involved pro- are only country folks. We do not cess. It comes close to doing a have smart or honest people complete background check in- amongst us, do we? In the meanvolving numerous hours of our time, all across this community, personal time, consulting with there is a sigh of relief. We now several different specialists and have more time to engage in even conducting a personal in- character assassination, slanterview. Your comments der, bigotry, prejudice and anytrivialized our efforts. In your thing else we can think of until zeal to meet your deadline you the Superbowl!!! Stay tuned. allowed yourselfto become apart of the lynch mob. For one who Editor's Note: will not reveal their source and Dr. Pandya was not in attenconveniently hides behind the dance at last week's Hospital First Amendment, you want us Board meeting. Water, water, water Charitable giving guides Last Saturday , a meeting was held at the Red Hills Motel in Kanab, with about 60 citizens attending to express their concern with the proposed rule emanating from the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. SUPHD is a semi autonomous body composed of Washington, Iron, Garfield, Beaver and Kane counties. It was formed under Title 26 of state statutes, which allows two or more counties to band together as one health department to accomplish health care and regulation more economically than small counties each having their own. This body has a board of directors with one commissioner and one lay member from each county. Joe Judd and Karla Johnson are the representatives from Kane County. They make policy and have a paid executive director and staff to carryout the tasks as laid down by the State Health Board. The proposed rule has to do with protecting culinary water quality in rural areas and would affect scattered parcels and small subdivisions with 14 lots or less. The meeting arose from the last commission meeting, where a hearing was scheduled to be held in Kanab. But for a variety of reasons, Gary Edwards of the state health de- partment and his staff, ex- plained their reasons in the morning session and not at the time advertised in the afternoon meeting. At the Saturday meeting, Bob McKay, of the landowners af fected, acted as chair. After giving a brief report of the circumstance set forth above, he introduced Karla Johnson, the lay available This week more than 1700 Utah businesses will receive copies of two Better Business Bureau publications that contain information about local and national charitable organizations. member of the Southwest consortium. Karla answered many questions and was a good spokesman for the Heath Board. Among items covered, the county may withdraw from the board, although cost would be a problem. It appears that the board is proposing regulation far in excess of state requirements, which is permitted, but those present not only thought the rule would be onerousbut could alsocause land values to plummet. County Assessor Richard Swapp was the next speaker. His tone showed that he was not in support of the proposal. He cited the loss of revenue by decreased tax income, the provision placing restrictions on a landowners right to haul potable water to his property. After much discussion, which centered on the commissions lack of control in a matter vital to theeconamichealthofthecounty, but also stressingthe protection of water quality by means less Draconian, Mike Noel made a motion which passed withoutone dissenting vote to send a message to the commission next Monday (Nov 25). The motion asks that there be additional hearings in Kane County, so all who wish could not only understandthe problem but have their county commission exercise their job of representing the citizens . and not have their duties abrogated by an additional layer of bureaucracy. The BBB of Utahs Utah Solicitation Guide, which lists more than 100 different Utah organizations, indicates whether an organization meets the Bureaus Voluntary Solicitation Standards. The standards are listed in the guide for review by potential donors. Give. ..But Give Wisely, published by the national Council of Better Business Bureaus, has information on more than 200 charitable organizations across the nation. These organizations are evaluated by the Philanthropic Advisory Service of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, VA. The 23 CBBB Standards for Charitable Solicitations include such things as use of funds, accuracy in solicitation materials, and fund raising practices. Utahns who would like free copies of the publications should contact the BBB by calling 801-487-46- or (Uiffi) 0d)3fi! 3 7i0iU0 (fiftyliOv Subscribe to the Southern Utah News today! Safe winter driving takes special care When driving in winter weather, it can take up to three to ten times further to stop on slick pavement than on a dry road, and if you come to a stop because your vehicle skids off the road, you may not be able to get moving again without help. Thats why its so important to prepare for winter driving. To help you plan ahead and perhaps prevent a needless tragedy, Western Insurance Information Service offers the following hints to winter driving. shape. Keep vehicle in tip-to- p antiof levels vehicles Checkyour r windshield-wipefluid, freeze, water in the battery, etc. Make sure the brakes are workingprop-erly- . Maintain the correct tire pressure and check the tire tread. Test. headlights, tail lights and turn signal lights. Never let the vehicleout of trouble. Tire chains gas tank empty below half full, so in case weather conditions condensation doesnt form and freeze up your fuel line. Keep emergency items in vehicle. Stock your vehicle with the following items: A blanket andor sleeping bag and extra clothing, such as gloves, hats, and boots, to keep you and your passengers warm while waiting for help. A shovel so you can dig your way out of a snow drift. Sand, gravel, cat litter or traction mats to keep the wheels from spinning as your vehicle begins to move. An ice scraper and snow brush so you can clear enough snow and ice from all windows to give you full vision when driving; also clean off lights. A tow chairrope so your . Good Samaritan can pull your. 5 worsen and you need more traction to stay on the road. Keep up your everyday safety driving habits. Make sure everyone wears seat belts and children are protected by child seats placed in the back seat Keep jumper cables, flaresreflectors, food a flashlight, vehicle. and a first aid kit in your Plan your trip in advance and advise family and friends of your route, destination and travel plan changes as they occur. Stay with your vehicle if it becomes disabled, especially during a storm. Pull over and rest if you become fatigued. A drowsy driver is a dangerous driver. Winter driving can be safe, if .you plan ahead. non-perishab- le Lorin Tonks 310 s 100 E STATt Kanab, Utah 644-268- 3 fAtM INSUtANCI a good neighbor. State Perm is there. LUzo Farm insurant Companies Stat Offlcas: llllnoii Nam Bloomington, 56 |