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Show DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER Tuesday, August 17. 1 993 A5 I Opinion ! In Our Opinion Stewart learns Leavitts definition of ethics hard way The resignation of Mike Stewart as head of the state Department of Human Services renews Utahns faith in the system of government. His public problems began with the airing of the fact that he had been charged with code violations on his rental property. Maybe not a big deal, lets wait and see, said the public. But there was more. There was a little matter of $9,000 in delinquent property taxes and penalties. But, thats not all. Not only did Stewart owe the back taxes, he lied to his employer about them. Gov. Mike Leavitt' was correct in asking for Stewarts resignation. His position as champion of the poor required a level of public trust which could not have been achieved since Stewart was recently charged with five misdemeanors. The charges were in a sense directly related to how he treats the poor. Stewart was accused of renting substandard dwellings to tenants. One home was in such poor condition it had been ordered closed for health and safety-cod- e violations. But Stewart had continued to allow the home to be occupied. Human Services, the states largest department, administers welfare, aging services, mental-health, substance abuse programs and others. To have as its head a man who willfully and wantonly ignores regulations which would affect the very clients he is supposed to help would be a serious mistake. That is a mistake Gov. Leavitt did not make. Some may argue that the charges against Stewart were not significant enough to have him leave his position. Had he been able to prove the problems with his property were mere oversights, or that work to repair the problems was in progress or had been ordered, a more lenient judgment may have been expected. But the housing problems were insignificant compared to information that surfaced later about his delinquent taxes. How could a man who knew he would be in the public eye, who knew his personal life would be scrutinized, fail to pay his taxes? Thats one of the easiest things to track about a person. Why wouldnt Stewart take care of such a simple obligation? A bigger question is why would he lie about it? In January, Stewart was asked to fill out an ethics disclosure form as a condition of his state appointment. He had an opportunity then to take care of his delinquent taxes, before he signed the form. But he chose not to do so. Instead, he lied. He said he owed no delinquent taxes. When the allegations were made public, Stewart had no defense. Not once did he suggest the taxes werent owed. Not once did he express surprise at the charges. He went about borrowing money to pay his debt, but it was too late. Although the governor was willing to allow Stewart an opportunity to explain away the charges, when he learned the charges were true and could not be denied, Leavitt made the hard choice of asking Stewart to resign. It must be difficult for Gov. Leavitt to admit he made such a big mistake. Stewart was chosen for his job after a committee did a thorough search for the right person. After this thorough search, the committee recommended Stewart for the job. Now that hes out, a new search is on for his replacement. Committee members may want to read their checklist as they now search for a new Human Services director. A question about delinquent taxes should be added if its not already there. That would save a lot of embarrassment for the governor. Leavitts action in the Stewart incident should serve as a warning to other cabinet members. He has made it clear that the ethics disclosure statement they have signed is important and may be used against them. It seems like such a simple matter. Even young children know how to avoid the kind of trouble Stewart has had. Just tell the truth, stupid! , Lesbians have right to march in the parade Another national survey, this one Money magazine, flatters the Wasatch Front by naming the n Salt area the 14th most livable community in the United States. But, according to a handful of Northern Utahns, the community is only livable if you live the from Lake-Ogde- you to live and, amazingly, the issue came out lifestyle they want of a parade. It arose last week in Ogden, but it brought back memories of a similar controversy in Sait Lake City. In Salt Lakes case, the moral watchdogs objected to the Budweiser horses clogging down the street. In the Ogden incident, the focus was on a species more human: d Two lesbians walking down Washington Boulevard in the July 24 Pioneer Days Parade. hand-in-han- semi-weekl- by Clipper Publishing Co., y John Stable, Sr. publisher 1892-195- John Stahle, Jr. publisher 4 treatment for young criminals Editor, I agree with Bryan Grays August 3 Cyclops comments about the need for tougher juvenile punishment. Unfortunately, our traditional tenderheartedness. ..or perhaps our unwillingness to face an kids live on the Rio beaches, stealing to sustain themselves.) Angry taxpayers, in a weakened Stahle publisher Judy Jensen managing editor 1370 South 500 West, Bountiful, Utah 84010 R. Gail 1990-prese- ISSN: 1061-122- 3 c No. published Publication (USPS Tuesday and Friday except the week of Christmas and New Years at Bountiful, Utah Second class postage paid at Bountiful, Utah. Address all correspondence Subscription rate: 50c per copy. to P.O. Box 267, Bountiful, Utah 84011-026$20.00 per year, Mailed: $30.00 per year. semi-weekl- 149-18- News Advertising Circulation Classified 1 292-205- 8 292-202- FAX 2 295-304- 4 Office Hours: 8:30-5:3- DEADLINES Classified Ads Display Advertising , 295-225- y TUESDAY thru Fri. PAPER Monday Noon Thurs. 5pm It Proof Required and Color Articles & Photos News Obituaries Public Notices Mon. tourist economy, have decided that these worthless little thugs dont deserve the expense of a celL.lets just expend a few .38 rounds and toss their bodies into the bay. During the recent ACLU-create- d at the flap about double-bunkin- g Utah State Prison, I heard one man a few suggest that we double-bun- k with the at tigers Hogle prisoners Zoo. In light of the zoos budgetary shortfall, this might alleviate the feed shortage. Other citizens have the proper suggested that drive-b- y shooter is punishment for a to nail his or her riddled corpse to a telephone pole under an appropriate warning sign. Cops Who plug should be given medals, not suspensions, since society is saved the expense of building more 24 Hours In Advance ............Wed. 5pm Accepted Until 1 1am Mon. Friday 5pm gang-membe- DEADLINES Display Advertising Classified Ads FRIDAY PAPER T uesday 5pm Wednesday Noon Box 267, Bountiful, Utah POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Davis County Clipper. P.O. 64011-026- Weber State University professor, didn't disrupt the parade (although I assume they to caused a few parade-watchedrop their popcorn or hug their Maverik mug). But one week later, a few angry spectators called in their anger to the city offices. One man labeled the diversity entry an endless stream of human debris. The next day, a woman complained that Celebrating Our Diversity made the parade no d longer fun for her daughter. Even the parade chairman was rankled, saying he should have interceded and blocked the women from participating. The controversy should not be shrouded in the ongoing debate rs about homosexuality. Its not uncommon in Utah for people to show contempt when they see two men or two women nuzzle each other or intertwine pinkies. Bob and Bruce will never be exalted like John Wayne and a homosexual rights bill will pass the Utah Legislature the same day Jack Daniels is honored as the states official drink. supporting. ..both with our minds and our money. ..appropriate punishment for crooks, regardless of their age or why they might have Ipanema districts, killing homeless young urchins. (Many parentless 9 a League baseball team to display barometer savings and loan to show that it has not filed for reorganization. For in deciding who can march. Granted, the theme of July 24 parades is Utahs heritage, and their pubescent manhood. ..For a handcart in most pioneer theres no historical record of every there are 14 Cadillacs Lesbian covered wagons. But as one witty letter writer noted in the newspaper, hes been unable to find the Space any references to s, Shuttle or helicopters coming into the valley in 1847 and yet all three were showcased in the parade. Todays historical parades have little to do with handcarts and handmaidens. Any puffed-u- p talk of pioneer heritage is muted by commercial floats from banks and discount stores. Brigham Young would gulp if he saw homosexuals marching in the parade, but Im not sure hed understand the connection between the days of 47 and a Kmart float either. Todays parades are more social events than historic endeavors. A parade is simply a place to be seen, a winding and sometimes sweaty parades, and one can see more horses at Wyoming Downs. So its nonsensical to berate the two lesbians under the guise of historical authenticity. And if the parade organizers want to ban political statements, theyd better tell Sen. Orrin Hatch that hes not welcome either. When questioned about the furor in Ogden, the Weber State University professor said the lesbian couple meant to challenge and expand the idea of what it means to be a pioneer. Well, Im not sure about that. I suspect the lesbians were more concerned about flaunting their of high school bands, lifestyle than they were making a connection with Utahs past. But I dont think the kid with the 76lh politicians, church groups and small fry on bicycles. Its a chance for an insurance salesman to show off his Corvette...For members of a Little pioneer history either. And that goes, too, for the 110 cornets! line-u- p Until we get serious about property of No special likelihood of a much less desirable scenario down the road.. .presaged, perhaps, by recent developments in Rio de Janeiro. Armed Rio vigilantes are now Inc. 1954-198- organized by But its naive to think that parade officials should use a moral trombone was dreaming about In Your Opinion cruising the Copacabana and Published a Our Diversity" entry seven-year-ol- added tax expense. ..creates the ODA VIS COUNTY The women, part of Celebrating cells. rs its citizens. While our elected officials still give lip service to such ideals, they have, in fact (with our collective consent or apathy or ignorance) completely gone wrong, we risk a backlash that changed that original purpose. Today, when listening to the may eventually leave traffic violators concerned for their lives. debates in Congress, it becomes Undeserved leniency is anarchy clear that most of the politicians in leading to tyranny. Theres no Washington, D.C., sec our punishment more effective or government as a gigantic charitable cheaper than a quick bullet through and humanitarian bureaucracy. the head. ..unless its Zyklon B Now, in order to be a good administered in a gas oven. More representative, the politician must and more angry citizens are first find, identify and define a realizing this. ..but forgetting the good cause. Then, once found, origin of the idea. they set out to use the power of government to pass legislation Jack Crandall which will allow them to confiscate Bountiful the wealth and property of the citizens so they will have the funds needed to advance their pet projects or causes. Is it any wonder that the Government is trillions of dollarsin debt? Billions or Russia; billions for welfare and housing; billions for health care; billions for disaster relief; billions for the old, for the young, for the disabled, for the underprivileged, and the list goes on into volumes. This is a bottomless pit with no end in sight. Could it be that the reason thing are not working out as envisioned U.S. buried under debt for myriad of good causes by the authors of Editor, A comment often heard in Utah is, We believe in obeying the law of the land. Well, the last time I checked, the Constitution of the United States is still the law of the land. It clearly sets the legitimate bounds and limitations of our government. At the birth of our nation it was generally understood that the primary purpose of our government was to protect the life, liberty and socialism, is because this state it is all un- constitutional. Being as the Constitution is still the law of the land, then all of these spending programs, no matter how well inlentioncd, are all illegal! Yes, our leaders have replaced what our Founding Fathers gave us, a Constitutional Republic, for state socialism, a system of laws which have never brought happiness or prosperity to any nation. Granted, the transition to Socialism is not yet complete. But. with Bill Clinton as President and our representatives supporting more and more socialist type legislation, our Constitution is fading rapidly into the shade. Less government and more individual responsibility is the only way out. We must insist our elected representatives examine every decision with the Constitution as the measure. If we, and they, do not legislation reject we are not being obedient to the law of the land. Gene Flaker Letters to the 000 Editor Guide The ClipperKaysville Today welcomes letters from our readers. Please submit .letters conforming to the following guidelines: 1. Maximum length should be 30(T words (approx. 1 12 typewritten pages). 2. No letter will be printed that may be considered offensive to our readers. 3. All letters should include the dbl.-spac- author's name, address and a daytime phone number. No unsigned letters will be printed. 4. .All letters are subject to editing for content or length. ' |