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Judge Strikes Down Learn Spirit of Holiday, Become Sub for Santa Credit for LDS Classes By Robert A Bnvin Logan Schools are prohibited from granting high school credit for the Old and New Testament classes forgradua tion Tribune Staff Writer Wyoming federal judge Thursday ruled that Logan School districts can not grant credit to students for Bible classes taught in the Churth of Jesus Christ of Latter da Saints school seminaries Judge Clarence A Brimmer ruled the He policy is constitutionally flawed made the decision m a mil suit filed in U S District Court for Utah which he was asked to handle In making his order, the judge said credit already gien to students before this school year will stand as credit toward graduation Past Credit Stands He also ruled the Logan schools are to allow students to graduate with comple tion of no more than 15 credit hours for this school year and thereafter as the hoard feel1 fair and proper Three .Logan residents, represented in partb American Civil Liberties Union lawyers, challenged the Logan polury of granting credit for the Old and NVw Testament classes and the policy of releasing students for the studies Judge Brimmer ruled A Credit Policy Unconstitutional The LTtah State Board of Education's policy of allowing credit for the classes is unconstitutional The Logan School District policy of gathering attendance reports in the seminary classes, which recognizes the release time seminary classes as part of requirements for school actiwties, to receive state funds is prohibited The policy of releasing students from school to attend the classes is permissible under guidelines set down in a 1952 U S Supreme Court ruling Religious and Sectarian' Judge Brimmer ruled, in striking down the policies and granting of credit, that the classes are "religious and sectarian m nature" and thus violate the First Amendment of the U S Constitution concerning religion The ruling has the potential of affecting 37 of Utah's 40 school districts which grant credit r such classes and as w'ell as any similar programs , ReleaseTime Ruling Stirs Query By John Cummins Tribune Education Editor Should the federal court decision concerning release time seminary programs mean that release time cannot be offered during regular school hours, Utah schools may have to come ' up with $6 million for teachers and programs to take its place, Dr Walter D Talbot said Thursday The state superintendent of public instruction made the comment during a press conference in which he emphasized that much of the decision which allowed release time seminary classes but ruled credit could not be granted will require considerable clarification in the eyes of the state school office However, Dr Talbot said the ruling that the awarding of credit at Logan High School for completion of Old and New Testment classes m seminaries conducted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints is unconstitutional will have clear implications for the other 36 districts across the state that also award credit for similar classes It establishes a precedent that will affect the granting of credit for seminary classes in all school districts Dr Talbot said Less certain. Dr Talbot said, is a section in the court order prohibiting Logan School District from recognizing attendance at any of the four release See Page B-- Column 1 fbr Salt akr gfilmnr Local News TV Fare Sjxtrth Pajje F-- 3 Friday Morning, December 15, 1978 . 34 may soon he able leave the hospital but her homecoming is not likelv to he a happy one Mrs S s Mithael, 35 a salesman, never held a job for long because he went on a periodic drinking sprees To supHrt the thildien Laurie 1 10 Fthel 8 Dav id 6 and Cmdv Mrs S took ilerking jobs But she was worn out by long hours of woik and anxiety over finances Last August she had a nervous breakdown Mr S tried to carry on alone but neighbors complained to public agencies that the ihildien were neglected and the agencies were asked to help Refuses Foster Homes Mr S refuses to place the children in foster homes but, with the agency's supervision, he runs the home more efficientlv , managing on loans from relatives He believes and the children Mrs S will soon he home to ho( take over and he will then be able to resume woi k But doctors fear will be some time before Mrs S can assume anv real responsibility With the future so indefinite the S fami especially Christmas ly urgently needs a Sub for Santa With a little help at Christmas," Mr S told Salt Lake Tribune Sub for Santa workers earlier this week. Mrs Sue S credit The Logan School Board memliet s and officers of the school district were defendants m the case filed m Mac 1977. With parental permission, students in thq ninth through the twelfth grades are released one hour a day for seminary in Logan Book of Mormon, Old and New Testament and church history and doctrine classes are taught Logan School District Logan High School gave two units of credit towards the 16 required for graduation for the Old and New Testa ment classes The Utah State Board of Education allowed the classes as electives We find that the aims and objectives of this program its development of character, faith, integrity and industry are in the youth of the LDS Church most laudable and praiseworthy We admire the deep sense of good citizen ship and responsible concern foi incul cation of such necessary values in their youth that has inspired the leaders of ihe LDS Church to strive to indelibly impress those virtues in the minds of young people "The program is good and fine, but unfortunately it is constitutionally flawed," Judge Brimmer writes The g: anting of credit for the Old and New advances the Testament courses cause of religion Reinforcing LDS Beliefs These two Bible study classes are religious and sectarian m nature They are not planned and taught from a strictly historical, literary or compara-tiv- e viewpoint, but are geared toward reinforcing LDS beliefs In short, they are a blend of secular and sectarian education for which credit cannot be given through a public school system," he w rote Examination into the nature of the classroom studies discloses devotional services and prayers participated in by students as well as the active teaching of LDS convictions and the (bearing ofi testimony by both students and w , Section B Page One non-jur- y See will B-- ure we tan man let k W to u- ige - ife Can util lsit lealh hoping the doctors lie swell have some sort of a- ht i vi-- it Iav That Chn-tm- a- gift- - it would reallv tie a gieat dav for us While thi S familys situation is an txtieme one it typifies the overwhelming despair some families face as the yeai s gieatest holiday approaches Tht-- e desperate families don't know where to look for help except to their moie fortunate friends and neighlnirs who can be of assistance by becoming Subs for Santa In 48th Year The Tribune progiam m its 4Mh year of family philan thropy, needs many individuals and groups to extend a heait warming hand this Christmas season More than 2,000 youngslets in nearly 600 families haye registered with The Tribune's program Most of them, fortunately, are assured a Christmas but some 600 kids till are on the rolls awaiting a Sub who'll put the good gift of the holiday into their hearts Being a Sub is an inexpensive, easy and rewarding experience By phoning 237 2097, Monday through Saturday an experienced Sub worker will put you m contact with one or more needy families Gift selection is left to the Subs but usually a toy and article of new clothing is all that is necessary to brighten a youngsters day Tribune Headquarters Sub for Santa is headquartered in Room 1002, Tribune Bldg . 143 S Main St , Salt LakeCity, Utah. 84111 The Tribune conducts its Sub for Santa program solely through the columns of the newspaper and the name is registered with the Secretary of States office Persons contacted by individuals claiming to represent Sub for Santa should contact The Tribune or the police department confiscated $.3,000 in coins from a Salt Lake home A police officer was fired in connection witn the case, and Mr Poulson was suspended Two part-tim- e meter collectors were later fired for altering time cards, Mr Phillips said $100,000 Loss? The police probe turned up three major methods of theft, and the city treasurer is now saying losses over a two-yea-r period could top $100,000 Some of the thieves are suspected of unloading bags of stolen coin at large retail stores, where they posed as vending machine business operators The pnv ate performance audit, com- - Suspended Friday Poulson, a likeable and popular city official, was suspended without pay last Fnday, after a year-lon- g police probe into what officials are calling the Metergate Scandal spilled into City Hall The meer theft investigation surfaced last week when police arrested two parkmg meter collectors and Mr jNothing Serious THE STAFF at the American Training School works long, hard hours to keep the presents m active condition readers this year is big-tim- o $ JaUP 'lr R Johnson For the young, Christmas experiences, memories can be bitter or sweet. Some 600 kids Santas still need Sub for f amily-to-- f amily to warm hearts. Column I Phillips aide, will be terminated effective Monday, according to Mr Phillips Reasons for the termination were I can say no more because sketchy Mr Poulson is still under investigation, he said The Christmas present from column to be one or more of the new large size TV screens that just umn, Nothing appeared on the market Serious, always TV is a special pastime for the help the children American Fork School youngsters. at American With these new Fork Training screens attached to the schools TV School at Christsets, all the schools youngsters will mas time? e seats at all the have first-ro- w "Youd think TV shows. you would Along with the enlarged screens, spread your help plans call for the purchase of a special at Christmas to recorder that will tape the TV shows in other institutions so they can be shown over and advance This is a good question sir, and I over all year long again have the answer. THE NEW GIANT TV SCREENS will "The children at the American Fork be presented to the schools youngsters Training School happen to be special on Christmas Eve favonties of mine Theyve been friends If you want to make a donation to this for years. Merry Christmas project, send happy, And for the last 20 years, at Christto "Dan Valentine, Box donation your mas time, the Christmas project at 867. Salt Lake City. Utah. 84111 American Fork Training School has TODAY S VALENTINE always been the favorite of the column A The reasons are many special Valentine today to the 20 These go-glocal girls who are going to wiggle at the American Fork youngster Training School need cheenng up, and waggle for chanty tonight and tomorrow at the Wasatch Lounge, 3556 especially during the holidays S State Secondly, the school is one of the few institutions of handicapped youngsters Mary Nay, director of the Cosmic an organization of Salt Lake in Utah who are depended for Santa Girls Claus help from the public. gogo girls, has volunteered the other worthwhile for centers Many talents and ser- the handicapped are helped and sponvices of her danc- sored by church groups and lodges and .fjjfly mg girls to raise civic clubs and other groups funds for the THE CHILDREN at the American TV LargeChnstFork Training School are wards of the Screen o state, and are supported by tax money V mas promotion from the state. for the youngsters at Amencan Fork As you know, tax money is scarce Training School these days. State officials have to grope The gala chanty affair will feature to find enough cash for medical supthe 20 go-g- o dancers They will appear plies and food and the necessities of life at the lounge, auction off their cosThere is Uttie mm left for the tumes and do special dances to raise Christmas frills and gifts that bring money for the fund happiness to children at Christmas A fun way to raise money for a good time. cause . . . Join the crowd, help some OVER THE YEARS, column readers kids, and have some fun have bought the youngsters buses and Wasatch Lounge, 3556 S The sleds and roller skates and ponies and State Stplace . tonight and tomorrow night buggies and bicycles and tropical fish And a Valentine to all tanks . . . and many other items ot SAM, THE SAD CYNIC, SAYS: lasting joy. Column readers try to purchase Isnt democracy wonderful? Even the Christmas gifts that will last all year go-g-o girls go out of, their way to help the children at Christmas time! long, or longer Tribune Staff Photo bv Lmn philanthropy Finance Aide Fired in Meter Theft Probe By Hal Spencer Tribune Staff Writer Meredith Poulson, a longtime aide to Salt Lake City Finance Commissioner Jennings Phillips Jr , was fired Thursday in connection with investigation into parking meter money thefts In a related development. City Treasurer Joseph Fakler disclosed the contents of a performance audit done in October by Elmer Fox, Westheimer &. Co , pinpointing six serious flaws in the citys parking meter collection process Mr Poulson, who held a dual role as deputy city treasurer in charge of meter collections as w'ell as being Mr jg.:,ywwi the at home on would ready and if the kid- - can thn-tni- trial conducted Page -- Hoping teachers During the in ife t unit's bat We re 1 Dan Valentines THE ANSWER: A stranger stopped me en Mam Street Thursday and asked me a blunt question How come you and the read ers of your col- I to throughout the West Only Salt Luke Carbon and Tmtic districts don t giant r wsMswm City Treasurer Joseph Fakler, showing how to empty meters, I Thursday released a report focusing on collection flaws. pleted before the police investigation bfcame pubbe, makes the following observations Parking meter collections should be performed during the day, to minimize the chance that thieves with duplicate keys might steal meter money under cover of darkness Twenty-tw- o persons with duplicate key s, believed made from the mold of a stolen meter, have been arrested this year, according to police Meter collectors should wear uniforms while collecting to ensure that unauthorized collectors could be more easily spotted by police and pubbe Collectors should be required to take periodic lie detector tests as a condition of employment Mr. Phillips Wednesday said the suggestion is under consideration Some collectors are suspected of using substitute collection bags to take money home Collection routes should be traded occasionally between collectors, giving thecity a chance to compare collections to see if they vary Inside Theft "Stringent controls" should be imposed upon meter keys and collection bags Police believe an inside man" was stealing from the bags once they reached the treasurer's office enroute to the bank Regarding meter keys, the city has acknowledged that the only control option opened at this point is to change to "keyless magnetic locks The city needs some assurance that First Security Bank is properly counting and recording parking meter revenues Occasionally, the bank could be sent change to determine if they are making an accurate count, the audit said In announcing his aides firing. Mr Phillips said the City Commission will urge the county attorneys office to prosecute all persons found to he invoiced m the shrinkage of parking meter revenue. a shrinkage whose size probably will never be known for sure," according to Mr Fakler Sources m the county attorney's office disclosed that in the case of one suspect, there may not be material evidence, specifically, confiscated meter money, with which to convict him m court Other Charges The commission issued an order Thursday to the city attorney that in tbe event the county attorney cannot prosecute, the city attorney should bring misdemeanor charges under citv ordinance, where appropriate Panel Plans Cancer Link Study By Angelyn Nelson Tribune Medical Editor Health officials Thursday said they couldnt promise quick, easy or specific answers m their investigation of a possible link between nuclear fallout and cancer cases in southern Utah They did vow, however, to deliver a thorough, serious, scientific study Plot Course special committee of federal and state health officials as well as University of Utah physicians met to plot a course on how to proceed with their investigation The grouo also talked with the press at state health offices. 150 W North Temple Because of public interest and personal attention from Gov Scott M Matheson and other political leaders, the information wJl be gathered so nothing is kept hidden and data is analyzed m such away the tmth will be Dr Lyman ,1 Olsen, forthcoming. state health director, said It has to be a serious study, a thoughtful study. said Dr Chase N Peterson, commntee chairman and University of Utah health sciences vice president It is not going to be a study that can promise results, telegraph results It is not going to be a study that can be done immediately The results, however will be deli vered as quickly as possible. Dr Peterson said A Caution Echoed Other participants echoed Dr Peter son's caution about unrealistic expreta tions Dr Ghn G Caldwell, chief of the cancer branch of the Chronic Disease Division of the federal Center for Disea?-- ' Coqtrol. Atlanta, pointed out that the Japanese have studied the surv Ivors from the dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for 30 years and even now there are some things See Page B-- Column 1 2, Clmcklo 'V Build better mousetrap and somi rat w ill copy it a n Court Blocks Rehiring of Fired Aide A temporary restraining order barring the Utah Merit System Council from reinstating a fired Department of Community Affairs employee was signed Thursday by 3rd District Judge G Hal Taylor The action temporarily blocks reemployment of William A Callahan, Kearns, housing director fired Sept 13 by Community Affairs Director Beth S Jarman for inefficiency and failure to support agency policies " Judge Taylor set a hearing for Dec 22 when he will decide whether to make permanent the restraining order pending outcome of the agencys suit to von! the reinstatement .t,?,mm mm M. mm I. m mm mm wsJkJK Council held Mr Callahan's appeal with only three of its five members present and ignored the weight of the evidence" presented by the department that purported to show inability of Mr Callahan to perform his assignments This week the Merit Council heard arguments on the states contention Further, the attorneys contend a that a rehearing of the Callahan dismissal should be held, and decided to malfunction m recording equipment reaffirm an earlier order that Mr during the original Callahan hearing Callahan be allowed back to work and has made the creation of a complete paid $.3,900 m wages dating back to his transcript impossible Thus, the attorneys contend, a new firing on Sept 13 hearing before the Merit Council should The state's petition argues the Merit be ordered The downtown detour on State Street by Utah Transit Authority buses which went into effect Aug 15 because of beautification construction will end Saturday Buses have been detounng State, generally using 2nd East, to bypass State Street construction between 2nd and 3rd South The construction work now being done w ill not interrupt traffic flow , a UTA spokesman said t i "'' Endin': Detour On Slate St. Routes UTA J.. m rnmmm. m m a,Mv . 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