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Show 12B The Salt Lake Tribune Thursday, March 15, 1184 Justices Ponder Secrecy of Government-Relate- d By Charles Seldin Tribune Staff Writer In the spring of 1981, Box Elder School District sampled the faculty and students at Box Elder High School in an effort to discern the extent of discrimination there. The district released objective statistical findings to a Salt Lake City television station, KUTV, but withheld answers to subjective essay questions. The station protested, but was denied access by the State Board of Education, which, on instructions from the attorney general, decided the information was secret. Wednesday, the five justices of the Utah Supreme Court were asked to decide whether substantive documents generated by government are to be presumed open, or secret. The case itself, now three years hanging and of questionable value as to the original material, has generated into one of principle. It is a question of Orwellian proportion, according to KUTV's attorney, Patrick Shea, who drew a 1984 parallel for justices. It is Mr. Sheas contention that state agencies, under directive of Attorney General David L. Wilkinson, have adopted a stance of the government knows best for the people. As such, the policy has a secrecy veil that shrouds public documents, an idea that directly refutes the notion of good government, he contends. reacThere is a sort of knee-jer- k tion advocated by the attorney genweve been caught, eral of and thus must close documents, he said. However, according to Mr. Shea, the abuse of governmental secrecy manifested itself many times in the last decade. He has argued that absent a declaration from the State Records Committee, documents should be presumed open for public scrutiny. A school district survey like Box Elders represents an obvious exam- Additionally, he said the interpretation of secrecy is symbolic of the attorney generals attitude. "There is antagonism between that office and the First Amendment when it comes to access, he said. John McAllister, an assistant at torney general, did not address Mr. Sheas assertions of government knows best, but instead argued that blanket public access under the states Information Practices Act does not apply. And should he be overruled on that point, he said its application should be on behalf of Especially for you, from protecting the privacy of individuals. The individuals have the right to speak up or remain silent, Mr.. McAllister said. Mr. McAllister said the state was concerned with confidentiality of questionnaire respondents, as well as people who may have been Documents & Q LAWN & STORAGE SHEDS Add to the Ease of Outdoor Up-Kee- p Banish lawn clutter and protect valuable equipment with a Sutherlands lawn storage shed. Select the size and options that suit your needs. Easy to build. Deluxe MODEL ILLUSTRATED. ALL SHEDS PRICED LESS FLOOR. i I'luTa, INCLUDES 8x8 8x10 ... ALL MATERIALS DELUXE DELUXE.... 239 281 PLUS PLANS, FLOOR EXTRA 8x12 DELUXE..... 95 12x1 2 DELUXE.... 299 385 CHARMING STORAGE AND PROTECTION FOR GARDEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT 119 95 149 10 X 6 10 X 9 g y y QCi, ROSES n 90 BERRY BUSHES TREES Packaged Std. Peach and Apple Pkg. Variety 99 YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE A Fertilizers HOMEOWNER WHEELBARROWS TURF BUILDER LAWN FOOD k95 FERTILIZER D TURF BUILDER WITH HALTS sq. ft. bag. assembly required jrf LIGHT DUTY An easy to use wheelbarrow. Ideal for lawn and garden use. 3 cu. ft. tray. Each KS-- PAX LAWN FOOD 25-3-- 5 HEAVY DUTY Heavy duty, seamless, 4 cu. ft tray. Sturdy hardwood handles. Each KB-- 4 3 u A STEER MANURE MANURE AMMONIUM SULFATE 21-0- 40 lb. Bag 201b WHISKEY administrative Sandy The salary is negotiable $20,000 in the range, district officials said Used oak. Half Barrel GARDEN HOSE Model 2800 Wh. Recreation Board Looks for Leader with BARRELS LIGHT FIXTURE 4 supervisory experience preferred The director will operate a facility at 2000 E 9400 South and will be expected to develop and administer a icereation program lor the distm t which encompasses the northeast section of . 1 e Special to The Tribune SANDY - Applications for the post of executive diretor of the Alta Canyon Recreation Special District Board will be accepted by the Sand City personnel department until Friday The director must have a bachelor s degree and three years experience in parks and recreation organ)-atio- A49 to This figures represent the gifts received by the university since the beginning of the 1983-8fiscal year last July 1. 39 5000 Sq. Ft. 20 lb. Bag year-to-dat- year-to-dat- I Prevents crabgrass and gives lawn a complete feeding. 4500 brings the The MWN 4500 Sq. Ft m total to $14,183,081. which represents an increase of $2,796,189 from the previe ous total of $11,386,892 n PACKAGED $ that the university received year-to-da- World s Leading Maker of Storage Buildings 299 Although Brigham Young Univer- in gifts for February ARROW ASSEMBLY REQUIRED ASSEMBLY REQUIRED Ph.D. Program Approved $ By U. Council $1,260,826 -- HAMLET LAWN SHED Unless theres a statute or the state has taken steps to seal the document, "there is a presumption of openness, he told justices. The right to access is fundamental to the free marketplace of ideas. 2 ply vinyl Vi x 25 4 39 ? A Y1 r, vk j. 11 ! , Each II in greater wisdom; they know best for the people, for the press. The other is to reaffirm original concepts of not good government, those that do want the government to act as a censor, he said. . . . ple. sity and Utah State University offer the degrees, Dr. Altman said the U. of U. program will not simply be a third one, but will be unique in its approach and will emphasize research and scholarship rather than administrative training and leadership. The U. of U. program will incorporate material from related disciplines such as psychology, law, genetics. and other areas of medicine. "The faculty is clearly able and anxious to have this degree, and a Ph D program would enhance their faculty members already impressive record of outside grants, said James L. Clayton, dean of the U. of U.s graduate school, in a letter sent Dr. Altman last fall. In other action, it was reported cloaking itself government outstanding spring values! uh-o- Establishment of a doctoral program in special education has been approved by the University of Utahs Institutional Council. In approving the plan, the university will be able to offer Ph.D. degrees in special education with the agreement of the State Board of Regents. Emanual A. Floor, a council member, pointed out the program will not cost the university money and can generate some revenue for the institution through research grants. Irwin Altman, vice president for academic affairs, also voiced support for the program. We think this is a desirable program to pursue. It wont be a major one in terms of size and budget," he said. visement. One path would have the named within the essays. Mr. Shea contends that the station amended its request to allow for an edited version of essays, thus protecting individual privacy rights. We as an informed society have two paths, he told justices prior to their taking the matter under ad 895 Whole Barrel 16 |
