| OCR Text |
Show Fall UTTF-1 (continued from page 1) a dent in it," he said. There were New York. Twenty of those were from our own Salt Lake City Fire Department. Salt Lake City scores of volunteers from all over the country trying to do what they could to assist the New York rescue Battalion Chief Roger Stroud, who workers. srew up in Poplar Grove, was among the men and women who were called to duty at Ground Zero. Stroud described how rescue workers were overwhelmed by the immensity of the rubble. "No matter how much work we did at the team felt like they were getting in the way. "Hundreds of people were just standing around waiting for something to do,’ explained site, we felt like we didn't even put Stroud. UTTF-1 At times, the Utah USAR was activated on September 11th, spent one week at Hill Air Force Base, waiting to be 2001 sent by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and returned home on September 27th. "No matter how much work we did at the site, we felt like we didn't even put a dent in it, oo They went to New York with intention of using their search rescue expertise, but ended up marily moving debris during the and prithe The West View page 10 three weeks they were there. Half of the team worked a twelve-hour day shift and the other half worked during the night. "We felt disappointed that there weren't any survivors that we could help," said Stroud. | Among Stroud's most vivid memories of his experience at Ground Zero was the appearance and smell of the site. "It was surreal, especially at night, but the smell is what I'll never forget. That was the WOESt..- part, = he said. Firefighters every where empathize with the immense loss and tragedy that the New York City Fire Department has had to endure. Another way Utah firefighters are extending their sympathy and support is by driving a fire engine across the country, raising money along the way. This money will go towards the purchase of another 4 fire engine that will meet the specifications of the New York City Fire Department. Upon arrival in New York, Utah firefighters will present a remem- brance book containing letters to the families and friends of the fallen firefighters. Open Letter (continued from page 7) Volunteers Needed! should look at alternatives to urban sprawl and to wiser use of land within our metropolitan areas. The reactivation of these tracks destroys our efforts to make our west side neighborhood a part of the city fabric. The west side has room for new families and homes without sprawl, without sending people to suburbs and rural areas. By opposing rail through our oldest neighborhoods, we are asking for more careful and wiser use of land than in the past. This is how a city evolves from its pioneer past to the complexities of urban life on the Wasatch front. Some have said that if we live next to a rail line, we should expect trains. But that does not take into account the historical use of the tracks. This was a passenger main. It has not been used for 275 years depending on whether you neighbors or Union Pacific. in use in recent years it short, infrequent local trains talk to When carried of just a few cars, not 100?car trains 10 times a day passing through Salt Lake City. Would any resident next to a light rail line within a residential neighborhood accept the use of the line for heavy freight trains just because they lived next to a rail line? Furthermore, large parts of our neighborhood were built before any of these industries were built, including Union Pacific's rail line. Some have hinted that, because of the tragic events in September, an action which would be called injustice now becomes necessary for our nation's interests. Union Pacific, without one qualm of conscience, will want to claim so to further their own interests. I ask, how can Union Pacific's decisions for economic reasons over this five-mile stretch of track be vital for national security? Why not the alternatives to improve the bottleneck at Grant's Tower or to consider another line which borders but does not divide a thriving neighborhood? In short, we believe this issue involves honoring of contracts, wise use of land, justice to all urban neighborhoods, and alternatives to sprawl. We hope for strong and courageous action from our elected leaders. Thanks to all of you as leaders in our community for your attention to this most vital issue. |
