OCR Text |
Show UTAH P PRESS ASSOC 0 SOX 1 Commission Chambers. Phyllis Frankel County Democratic Chairperson By a healthy majority the Salt Lake County Democratic Central Committee voted this week to thwart efforts to censure its chairwoman and instead commended her for the job she has done. Jeannette M. Heaps formally brought charges against Phillis Frankel, who charged Mrs. Frankel with violating state election laws and the Democratic Party Constitution and bylaws. The action came in a committee meeting in Salt Lake Jerry R. Nelson, Democratic chairman of Legislative District 2, made a substitute motion to drop the charges and commend Mrs. Frankel, after a motion to consider censure was made and a four-pag- e document was read charging her with various violations. Calling the new motion a railroad job, several members objected, and demanded that Mrs. Frankel specifically answer the charges. Mrs. Frankels only answer was given by Ron Swenson, vice chairman of the committee, who said the chairwoman denies all charges. After a few brief arguments, the 123. members present voted 84 to 39 to stop debate, then by about the same majority they voted to accept the commendation of Mrs. Frankel. There are more than 1,200 members in the county's central committee, but the ten percent attendance was enough to pack the commission chambers. Gov.-eleScott M. Matheson, earlier spoke in obvious support of Mrs. Frankel. ' Bringing cheers from the audience, Mr. Matheson said, It is time we put our differences behind us and forget the past". The Salt Lake Times commends Mrs. Frankel for the fine job she has rendered the Democratic party. ct State Bar Urges Persons To Review Estate Plans The Tax Section and Probate Committee of the Utah State Bar this week called attention to the need for persons having estate ; plans to have their plans reviewed, by their attorneys. The 1976 Tax Reform Act, recently adopted, contains a major overhaul of estate and gift tax provisions. Some relief from taxation has been provided for snail and medium sized estates, while potential taxes on large estates have been increased. Under the new law, estates of persons dying after December 31, 1976, with a fair market ralue of assets less than $120100 will escape taxation. FormenV the exemption was $60,000. Under the prior law, a decendent of the estate to could leave one-haa surviving spouse tax free, which incoupled with the exemption, creased the tax free estate to $120,000 in value, j Under the nev law the new of the marital deduction is one-ha- lf is whichever estate or $250,000, could be a major greater. This benefit to taxpiyers in Utah. Of vital concern, however, is the fact that the gift tax rates will be raised substaitially after December 31, 1976, anJ the lifetime exemption of $30,(00 under the existing law will no ibnger exist separately lf after December 31, 1976. these two matters dictate a re view by Utah residents of their gift tax planning prior to the end of and a review of their estate planning documents. They should consult with their local attorney relative to these important mat1976 ters. The Utah State Bar continuing Legal Education Committee and the Tax Section of the Utah State Bar has just completed a seminar dealing with the 1976 Tax Reform Act. Personal File May Be Examined The Utah State Board of Education has established a procedure which a student, employe or other interested person may examine his personal information file. According to Ruth Wollshleger, records access officer, until now no formal procedures existed as the Utah Uniform Practices Act required. To examine his information file, a person must submit a written request to Ms. Wollshleger, State Board of Education, 250 East 5th South, Salt Lake City 84111, A reply to the request will be made within five days. Sheriff Told to Expect Budget Cuts The cop never being around when you need him may prove to be more truth than fiction in unincorporated Salt Lake County next year. Delmar Larson, County Sheriff, was told bluntly this week during a budget workshop session that he should forget about a budget increase and look for ways to cut spending in his $6.7 million operations budget. Michael Riordan, the sheriffs budget planner commented, Well have to make decisions on what kind of calls from the public not to answer," he added I can see that right now. Larson, requesting a $1 million spending increase to hire 10 additional deputies and grant pay increases among other things, was told he may have to cut his present budget by 10 percent. Larson warned that budget cuts would reverse the crime rare. He credited a 1976 increase in manpower with a drop in crime in the county. Larson complained, About the only thing we can cut are services personnel". The sheriff warned, Crime is going to go up and theres going to be big criticism of the sheriff and the commission." Larson said personnel cutbacks will indude layoffs of school crossWell get 80,000 ing guards. screaming mothers down on us and the commission," Riordon said after the session. Demo Club Elects New Officers The Democratic Sagebrush Club met this past week for matters of business to elect a Vice President and eight Directors. The meeting was held Nov. 17, 1976, in the Governors Board Room, State Capitol. Mrs. Niki Zeto, active in Democratic Political affairs, was elected Vice President. Making the nomination was retiring Vice President, Zina McDonald. Also elected to the Board of Directors were Robert Zito, Representative Leon Reese, George Black, LaMar McDonald, uid Ernest Sheffrahn. Elected to serve as Lady Directors of the Club are Leona Sullivan, Marion Evans, Beth Ingersall and Marie Sowby. President C. B. Smurthwaite reviewed the 1976 activities, praised the Board for their cooperation and dedicated work in behalf of the Democratic Party and the Club. President Smurthwaite said the 1977 membership drive will begin January 1 and named LaMar McDonald and Marie Sowby to head the drive. The annual summer outing, under the direction of Utah State Fair Director, Hugh Bringhurst, will select his committee at the January Executive Officers meeting. 327 84110 CITY County Democratic Chairwoman Receives Committee Support EX Announces New Staff Assignments Gov.-Ele- ct Gov.-eleScott Matheson this week announced appointments to fill several positions in his future ct staff. Mr. Matheson said he has also asked President-elec- t Jimmy Carter to consider meeting with western governors after all are in- augurated. Matheson said his administrative assistant will be Michael N.' Graham. Mr. Graham owns the Forklift Restaurant at Snowbird, and recently was director of tourism for the San Francisco Visitors Bureau for a year. Mr. Graham is the transsition officer for Mr. Mathe-son- s administration. Carole Hamlett will be executive secretary to Mr. Matheson. She has been Mr. Mathesons secretary for the past six years at Union Pacific and The Anaconda Co., and was formerly a partner in a public relations firm. Mr. Matheson said. Gov. Calvin L. Rampton s current assistant for government relations, Kent Briggs, will remain in that post, but the job duties will be broadened somewhat, Gov.-eleMatheson said a new press secretary is to be announced within a few days. He added, a new that of position is to be created administrative asistant for con- and the job will stituent affairs be filled by outgoing Democratic representative Beth S. Jarman of Bountiful. Her duties will indude hearing and resolving complaints Gov.-ele- ct ct gcott M. Matheson y Utahns about state government, In a letter to President-elec- t Jimmy Carter, Mr. Matheson noted d Democratic defeated or senators for the western states jjgjj j j2 yers of seniority in the Senate and there is now never a time when cooperation between the western states and the government was more necessary." Gov.-eleMatheson said, We are eager that our vast resource lands be used to serve the national need for food, fiber and energy, but we need your active and personal involvement to confront and solve the problems that accompany the development of the resources. just-retire- ct TODAYS EDITORIAL We Have Our Freedom, If We Can Keep It The concept of a free press was laid down before the American revolution by Sir William Blackstone as follows: The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state, but this consists of laying no previous retraints upon publication, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published.' The Founding Fathers knew some had a fear of democracy as well as a fear of despotism. The best cure they found that disposed of these fears was guarantee of freedom of speech and freedom of the press which was incorporated into the First Amend- ment. James Madison drafted the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law abridging the fredom of speech or of the press." Thomas Jefferson cautioned us when he said Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being ost on (continued page 2) |