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Show monday, rf Zfebruary 13, 1978 mitomcthe Open Account Business and Public Consciousness by Chuck Akerlow them engage in some sort of good work. There is, however, little overall direction. While Utah is a great state for involving people in the business of community decision-makinits traditional conservatism runs counter to consolidating functions, governments, agencies or programs. Thus, we pay for much duplication and overlap when we could probably be more effective. Local businesspeople do provide funds for community research. The Utah Foundation and the Utah Taxpayers Association are modestly staffed to prepare reports on state and local governments. The University of Utahs Bureau of Economic and Business Research likewise makes projections which aid in local public policy determination. Yet local and state government in Utah is primarily reactive. Because of the crush of e daily business little time is available for planning and goal setting. And in Salt Lake County, where governmental jurisdictions are numerous, there appears to be little consensus about our future direction. Even last weeks incorporation votes demonstrated the direction of local government in Salt Lake valley is unclear with Draper becoming a city while Granger-Hunte- r passed up the chance. Utah businesspeople like their national counterparts have a stake in all of this. Their principal concern ought to be the increasingly high cost of government and the absence of any meaningful return on the tax investment. What could they do? In my opinion, much more than is being done. For example, in other communities with a multitude of governments, businesspeople have organized large scale community task forces to examine the public policy in law enforcement, transportation, parks, health, employment, business development and public works. Then, as in Hartford, Conn., a business-supporte- d local development corporation can be established bringing together the public and private sectors into a organization of of the capable implementing many programs the task force. proposed by At the present there arc still a host of local government consolidation and reorganization plans. All of them, I believe, will fail largely because the radical right will mount a campaign on the issue of taxes and because most people just dont equate bigger government with better government. The latter is the cause of my lack of support for local government consolidation. I have long supported the drives for local government consolidation and reorganization; now I think it is an idea whose time has passed us by. Wc can achieve all of the benefits of consolidation without vagaries of a swollen bureauoncracy if we will organize a citizen-base- d force for planning and reviewing going task local government issues and programs. g, ATTN: MR. LEASE BUYER of all There are many reasons why 70 company fleet cars are now leased, and why more and more business and professional 3). Do you want to move fleet management out of your company and into the hands of a specialist? IF YOU ANSWER ANY OF THESE YES MAIL THIS COUPON TODAY. 1 MAIL TO w OF WORLD LEASING. INC. MENLOVE DODGE A DIVISION their approach to the community. Based upon the recognition that business views have carried little weight in the public policy process of the last few years, they are beginning to understand they have a constructive responsibility to advance public policy alternatives particularly where their actions disrupt the enviroment or social order. It is a fact that if Marx is to be proven wrong in his theories concerning capitalism, it will be done where capitalists recognize a broader public responsibility than just insuring that the Gross National Product is maintained and nurtured. Among the things American business should do is rise above the corporate Tevel and form coalitions within and across industries to commission think tanks, independent research and other activities which will generate new alternatives toward solving national problems. Government does not have all the answers (in fact, it scarcely has any) to problems of energy, unemployment, inflation and others. Yet we always look to the federal government to solve our problems because it is the most efficient tax collector and can marshal more national resources than any other entity. If solving problems depends upon people, money and materials-t- he feds are tough opponents. But what we need is an independent and fresh appraisal of our national problems. Thus, the call for business involvement. And what of Utah business? Traditionally there has been a high degree of volunteerism in Utah. There are literally thousands of social welfare agency boards, advisory committees, community task forces and the like. All of TOYOTA ng 2380 SO. Hiway 91, Bountiful, Ut., 84010 Attn: C. Barber (801)295-3481 NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP, ATTN: MR. FLEET BUYER We are very pleased to announce the en- largement of our fleet department. We can drop ship your cars and trucks anywhere in the U.S.A. You will find our prices to be the lowest anywhere. We want your business. YES 1)- . Are you a fleet buyer? 2)- . Do you qualify for legitimate factory rebates? L-- 3)- . Do you know how many units you must have for fleet rebates? 4)- . Do all units you own qualify regardless of make or model? 5)- . Did you receive your rebates on quali J NO 0 A copy facturers and government approved rebate list for 1978 models? FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MAIL THIS COUPON TODAY MAIL TO: MENLOVE DODGE TOYOTA 2380 SO. HIWAY 91 I I BOUNTIFUL, UTAH, 84010 I I ATTN: FLEET DEPT. BOYD GROBERG I I I I NAME I ADDRESS STATE of the following letter to Police Chief Bud Willoughby was sent to the Enterprise, along with a second letter addressed to us: Do you have your copy of manu CITY long-rang- non-prof- it Letter To The Editor fying carstrucks purchased thus far this year? 6)- . Arie Y. Lewin makes a strong argument in this weeks Business Week for the American capitalist to become actively involved in providing constructive leadership in the countrys economic affairs. He sees a reawakening in the business community nationwide toward its public responsibilities. If this is happening nationally, and I think to a certain degree it is, then it is none too soon. Over the years the businessman has typically been more concerned about making a better widget or beating his competitor in the market place. Thus his public conscience remained dormant. As a result, people like Ralph Nader, Common Cause, Esther Peterson and others have pressured Congress into reacting to the American capitalist with a host of new rules and regulations from EPA, OSHA, SEC, and the rest of the alphabet soup. The businessman reacted defensively, but he had clearly lost the initiative. Now enlightened new business leaders are ZIP, I I I Dear Sir: Enclosed is a copy of the National Enterprise article called Counterpoint. As a local citizen and business person in the valley I find it intriguing but somewhat dismaying that our supposedly efficient police department is out impounding mens bicycles. I am always aware when the police and fire departments cry to the city fathers for additional manpower. The fire department is supposed to help clean their buildings more efficiently, as most of their time seems to be spent there. Needless to say, I have very little faith in the man hours consumed for the job completed by the fire department, and now I am being told the police department is working for the same inefficiency rate. would be vciy disappointed if the officer involved in this situation is not reprimanded I for public harassment and misuse of authority. Sincerely, Vincent H. Brown, President Fountain of Youth, Inc. Editor: The police department found my letter disconcerting enough that they brought a copy of the actual police report to me so I could read it for myself. Having read that report I find it disconcerting that you would use a Counterpoint article without facts to back it up. Your man does not even qualify as a beginner on a high school debate team. If I were the editor of your paper I would ask to sec that police report also. Sincerely, Vincent H. Brown, President Fountain of Youth, Inc. . |