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Show Wednesday, July 24, 1974 11 CITY1 Community Involuomont, You Bet! A man who serves as a member of the Planning Commission, as a member of the school board, and as a member of the Park City In- described the citys school building program as being at a standstill. The culprit responsible for this inactivity is the stitute while performing the exessive prime interest rate currently strangling the cou- duties of Park City Postmaster is a man with very little free time. Add forty-eig- ntrys economy. This high prime to sell bonds at this time. No bond sales, no building. rate makes it undesirable years of Park ht City residency to those credits and you have a man with a good idea of whats going on in our town. This man is Mr. Jack Green. Impressed with his civic in- volvement, the Coalition requested an interview with Mr. Green. Hie Postmaster was more than willing to talk to us but had trouble finding the time to do so. We found the time and gained some insight as to the history and future of our community from an informed point of view. Planning Commission Mr. Green wras recently appointed to fill a vacancy on the Park City Planning Commission but his involvement with this body dates back to the first such commission. He was a member of the original Planning 9-1- 2, Com- mission which was formed conjunctively with Park Citys first Master Plan in 1966. Comparing the first with the present commission, Mr. Green reflected that both were guided by the similar ideas of a controlled or patterned growth but he remarked that the earlier version was faced with more difficult problems. We had no precedents. The presence of speculators and promoters sent commission members to Aspen, Colorado in search of clues to the proper courses of action. Originally a mining town like Park City, Aspen was studied to gain the benefit of its experience in evolving into a resort town. The present Planning Comis characterized mission a necessary definitely being warned but he against body recommendations which could prove too restrictive. Commissioner Green fears the citys Master Plan may contain provisions which fall in this too restrictive category. The historic district zoning could versely affect Mr. Green emphasized the need for expansion. The present school buildings are not adequate and the situation is going to get worse. He observed that the high school was built in 1928 to house grades but is now serving as a junior high as well. Compounding the problem is the fact that the concept of education has changed. Modem teaching techniques require 20 students in a class as opposed to 40 in a class. Another force which could threaten Park Citys school building plans is the Boren Committee, Mr. Green said. Headed by Dr. William Boren, the committee has recommended consolidation of the three school districts in Summit County. In Mr. Greens opinion, following the advice of this committee could put the Park City school system back to where it was twenty years ago. It is possible, Mr. Green said, that due to consideration of ad- real estate values. By unreasonably limiting the size of buildings in the zone, he feels the plan may make it economically impossible to build. School Board Speaking as a member of the school board, Mr. Green reorganization by the state legislature, the proposed school building might not receive state approval. They know we need a school building. Whether they would let consolidation interfere we dont know. Regarding use of the existing facilities during this school year, Mr. Green said the school board is investigating possible construction of temporary buildings at the high school. He states the need for such structures already exists. Mr. Green offered Vail, Colorado as an example of what can happen if a community is not prepared to meet the challenge of Vail is exrapid growth. periencing utter chaos in its school system, he remarked. The double shifts and temporary buildings are something we have been trying to prevent in Park City. Park City Institute Mr. Green serves as vice president of the Park City Institute, an organization which applies itself to the cultural enrichment of the city. The Institute is confronted by a somewhat paradoxical problem. Through various governmental and foundation grants, it has access to suf- ficient funds for providing cultural programs but it cannot find the money to build a facility to house such offerings. The Institute is making its greatest effort to date to obtain building funds, Mr. Green stated. It is hoped that through cooperation from the schools, the city, the county, and the state that some type of common auditorium can be constructed. Such a structure would provide Park City residents the opportunity to view' performances by professional symphonies and ballet companies plus other events of equal cultural magnitude. Remarking on Park City's transformation into a resort community, Mr. Green observed that the ski industry has provided a necessary stimulus to Park City's ITALIAN CUISINE in an elegant but casual atmosphere MINI-BOTTL- AND WINE AVAILABLE ES 6:30-10:3- 0 pm Tuesday thru Saturday 6pm-10pmSund- ay Closed Monday 412 MAIN STREET - PARK CITY economy but he is disturbed by references to the ghost town. He further stated, This town was here for a hundred years before skiing arrived" and he feels the characterization of skiing as a "savior is far from accurate. Mr. Green holds a seldom heard point of view concerning the attempts to preserve the historicity of Main Street in particular and the town in general. He remarked on the many residents who live in Park City because it is their home not because it is a resort town. He feels these people want a community; not a tourist-oriente- d Disneyland with limited personal services. Economic prosperity brought about by growth isnt necessarily a boon to all the citizens of Park City as was pointed out by Mr. Green. He mentioned the numerous elderly residents who depend on pensions and social security benefits for survival. Low rents and low prices which are natural to a economically depressed community, as Park City used to be, rise rapidly with the advent of growth. These people are actually ictims of prosperity in that they have fixed incomes and have to contend with constantly increasing costs of living. The result, of course is that many of them are forced to leave their homes of many years and move to other, less expensive areas. It is hard to imagine the trauma inherent in, such a situation. The plight of many of our senior citizens underscores the gross neglect accorded the elderly everywhere in the United States and is part of what Mr. Green calls a national disgrace. heated pool, saunas, deluxe rooms. Golf, tennis, hiking, relaxing. Enjoy low summer rates for family or groups. CALL EDELWEISS HAUS TODAY Remember the . POOL SANDWICHES COLD BEER Oivr vmI MAIN - !!.., i mi .: STREET |