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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8,1899 Opinion 4 Dixie Speaks Welcome Governor Leavitt Since becoming the Utah Press Association president, I've had the opportunity to become acquainted with state politics, and the "Wasatch Front mindset". I used to think of the concept that state lawmakers only focused on issues north of Nephi as southern Utah conjecture and whining. But as I've visited with state politicians and media people over the past few years. I've learned that some southern counties have been a burr under Capitol Hill's saddle, with Garfield and Kane County pretty much considered the State's bastard children! Unfortunately, most media attention our counties have received has been negative. Kane and Garfield Counties are both remote, have small populations, poor economies, thus earning them very little, if any, political clout. But much has changed. Governor Leavitt grew up in Cedar City, and thus he is more knowlegeable about issues affecting our area. His concern for southern counties has been apparent by his actions. Kane and Garfield Counties have become the focus of national news of late. There are issues playing out in these remote frontiers such as wilderness, public land use management, and road ownership. The attention, as well as the state's reaction to the issues, will determine how Americans will view Utah in the future, as well as the West in general. While frustration over our dire economic situation has run high, cool heads and rational thinking are in order. Southern Utahns are proud people, who want to t. We don't want to be a black eye to the be state, but rather a people whose hearts reflect the remarkable beauty of their surroundings. The Southern Utah News would like to warmly welcome Governor Mike Leavitt and his staff to Kane County. Weappreciate your coming, and hope that your meeting here will be productive for our county, as well as the State of Utah. ; self-relian- -- the main roads are mostly On my final week in Finland, ; I was taken on a five day h;ve bumpy djrt roads. Another aspect that took get-- , abpvethe Arctic Circle to norti., ting used to was the daylight. It em Finland, referred to by the was light outside at 10 oclock at countrymen as Lapland. There I night. Only three or four hours hiked around seven miles a day, , . of darkness occurred during the day. The locals informed me that in the winter it is completely the opposite, and it is dark nearly all day. All males in Finland must serve one year in the military. While it is somewhat optional at What is your opinion1? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its what time the man enlists, most readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or choose to do so right out of high defamation of character will not be considered for publication. school. The First week I was in FinPlease limit your letters to 300 words or less. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Thank land, I attended a wedding of a cousin of the family. The ceryou for your interest. emony was all in Finnish, so I I admit did must it that had no idea of what was being Finland provides power. blood flowing, when Id said. The reception was a crazy get my lifetime of memories visit the sauna and jjump into a party with lots of good food and cool lake. Dear Editor: drunk people. I would like to publicly thank Another must is a cellular The following week there was the Kanab Lions Club for their phone. Everyone that is 15 years a festival in the small town. This support in sponsoring my one or older, has one. Petri told me was a big party with live mush month adventure this summer that there are Five million people until 2:00 in the morning. Lots to Finland. They were more in Finland, and six million cellu- of dancing and more drunk than generous in helping me lar phones! people. reach my destination of Sports-wishockey is popular My host family took me on a Vesanto, a town of 3,000 people, in the winter, and Formula One cruise to Estonia. Estonia is a in central Finland. I spent a racing is very big during sum- former Russian republic, which solid month with the mer. It is so popular that when I is now a free country. It was Huttunens, the family of Petri went to see Santa Claus Village about a Five hour cruise from Huttunen, who stayed with my on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Helsinki, the capital city of Finfamily last summer as a Lions was out watching the race! Two land. I did have the chance to set Finnish racers do well, and so foot in the town of Tallina, Club Exchange student. I learned many interesting that is the reason for the popular- Estonias capital city, to shop and sight-seThere was a swap-methings about the culture and ity. Cars are much more expensive store with items which the way of life in Finland. type About the most important to buy and operate in Finland. In were pretty cheap. It reminded thing in Finland is the sauna. the family of five that I visited, me a little of Mexico, but the In the Finns eyes, the sauna the whole family shared one car. people were better off than most holds almost magical relaxing The roads are also very poor. Off Mexicans. Letters to the Editor e, e. et Southern Utah News AAA lb. backtoting around my pack, while getting bit by mosquitoes. It may sound tiring, but I had a lot of fun getting to know the 20 others on the hike, as well as 50-6- 0 Deadlines AAA FRIDAY 1 PM See LETTERS, Page 5 Si.iLiji&iiij' urr TJl-LiraiTS'r- (3231 12 The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-1659- ) is published every Wednesday at 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 or , Fax telephone Advertising rates available upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741. Newsstand price is 50C per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. 435-644-290- 0, Dennis and Dixie Brunner Publishers and Editor 435-644-292- 6. Carol SuliivanLauraii Noteman Kanab News Sharlotte Brewer Myrna Cox Glendale News Production Staff Michael Evangelista Lori S. Mohr Corrigan LayoutProduction Fredonia News Barbara Pyles Postmaster Send change of address cards to - 26 N. Main St Feature Writer Kanab, UT 84741 1 r TV t t |