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Show 2,., Th? Sglinn Sun Wednesday. Oct. 26. 1988 The Salina Sun Opinion Some interesting reading in Old Farmers Almanac We received our annual copy of the "Old Farmers Almanac" recently, with the request that we review it for our readers. We have to admit that there is some interesting reading - for example: We know the standard holiare celebrated each year, that days such as Christmas, Valentines Day, and 4th of July, but did you know that in addition there are such holidays as: Robert E Lees Birthday, celebrated by 5 southern 19, January states: King Kamehameha Day, Hawaii, June 11; Herbert Hoover Day, August 13, Iowa; Victory Day, Rhode Island, August 14; Benington Battle Day, Vermont, August 16; Womens Equality Day, August 26; Defenders Day, Maryland, Sept. 12; Wyoming Day, December 10; Bill of Rights Day, December 15; and Boxing Day, Canada, December 26. . There will be four eclipses in 1989, two of the Moon and two of the Sun. A total eclipse of the Moon will be February 20 and August 16; Partial eclipse of the Sun, March 7, and August 31. So you think the old earth is a pretty steady place? In reality each day we travel nearly 12 million miles; in one year we travel the distance from Pluto to the Sun. Were riding on the Earth rotating at 820 miles per hour; plus we are zipping in our orbit around the Sun at the blinding speed of 66,527 miles per hour, or 18.5 miles per second. Before a baby celebrates its first birthday, it has traveled 583 million miles. During the course of a normal lifetime we will have journeyed 45 billion miles! Question: We see so many sights in the night sky. Are there any sounds? None. Sound Answer: cannot pass through the vacuum of space. Scratch and sniff ads have become popular in magazines etc., next will be scented newspaper. Plans are underway to print ads in some papers with appropriate smells, including strawberry and coffee. Included are such needed essays as The Only Foolproof Way to Hypnotize a Lobster; Some surefire cures for Warts - including dead cats, mashed ants, dandelion juice, and chicken feet - all supposedly good for getting rid of warts; Listed are 50 way s our grandparents used to get rid of warts; Tax Letters to the Editor We welcome letters to the Editor. Letters must be signed. letters All letters will be printed with name. Unsigned are as letters all they to will not be printed. We try print is times at necessary. for length submitted but at editting and notified If editting is required the writer will be called if possible. Pages are devoted to area yearly weather forecasts. Our Region, the Rocky Mt. Region notes that we will have a late Fall and late Winter, with both milder than normal. Precipitation will likely be below normal in the south and above normal in the north. Spring should be warmer and drier than usual, while summer will be warmer than normal. Fall should start out sunny and pleasant, but cooler and wetter weather is predicted for Fall of 1989. Forecasts are that we should have light snow showers on Christmas Eve. Get off your buns! The Almanac tells is where we can attend Cajun Crawfish Derby; Great Earthworm Race; and Catfish Race, as well as defining the Ten Commandments for making $ 100,000 on your 25 acre plot The 1988 winning recipe for preparing your Thanksgiving T urkey is given, as are other recipes using molasses, and some great sounding ones for cheesecake. They ask for your recipes for the 1989 contest for Holiday Cookies and Bars. As usual the Almanac contains some great brain teasers and math puzzles that will get you and your young ones thinking - ( and maybe away from the TV for an hour or so). Did you know that Twink-ie- s were invented in Chicago in 1930? Or that Heinz baby food sells best in Pittsburgh? Bubble gum and Cracker Jacks sell best in Salt Lake City (There are lots of young children in Mormon families) the Almanac states. Last, but not least, the Almanac notes that Congress is considering nominating the Honeybee as the national Bug. They note that the bald eagle is our bird and the rose is our flower. Its time we had a bug, they say. They disagree with Congress idea of nominating the honeybee - saying that honeybees are bom into a strict caste system drones, workers, and queen, from which there is no escape - so instead they nominate the spider, noting that the spider is a talented artist, and skillful architect and engineer. Besides, they say, spiders eat bugs that are yuckier than they are. So, if you want some varied reading on everything from to warts - the Old Farmers Almanac in its 196th year of printing, is waiting your perusal. -- out-erspa- changes result in lower tax burden After all of the changes that have been made in Utahs individual income tax laws over the past two years, the overall adjusted Utah income tax load in 1 988 is slightly less than what it was before the changes were made, according to the Utah Foundation. The Foundation study points the overall tax load has while out tat not gone up, there has been considerable shifting of the income tax burden among taxpayers in the state. Many low income persons and families with a large number of children were completely removed from the tax roles. On the other hand, the income tax burden was increased substantially for middle and upper income groups, single individuals, families with no children, and retired individuals. fiscal During the 1986-8- 7 year, state income taxes in Utah totaled $533 million and were equal to 2.92 percent of the states personal income. After allowance for the $77 million income tax rebate, the net income tax collections for this year amounted to $53 1 million, or 2.78 percent of total personal income. Tax changes during the past two years have included: 1986 Federal Tax Reform Act which broadened the tax base on which income taxes are calculated. 2. Revisions made by the 1987 Utah Legislature which shifted the income tax burden away from low income groups and large families, to middle and upper income groups, small families, single individuals, and retired persons. The 1988 regular session changes which would have returned part of any income tax surplus in the form of a tax credit against 1988 taxes and a one time reduction in the top tax rate. The 1988 special session changes which included a one time cash rebate equal to 12.5 percent of 1987 taxes; a permanent 5 percent reduction in state income tax rates; and a restoration of one third of the deduction for federal taxes paid which was eliminated in 1987. The Foundation study further notes that due to the changes made by the 1988 special session of the LEgislature, the tax initiatives, if passed, would cut income tax beyond that originally intended by the initiative sponsors. As a result, the state income tax for a typical family of four with an income of $25,000 would be $708 if the initiative is approved; and $754 if it is rejected. Following is the estimated tax liability for a family of four next year at various income levels with and with- - Dear Editor: We have spent an unplanned week in Salina. We have enjoyed your lovely Senior Citizen Center and the delicious luncheon meals served there each day. As we are practically full time RVers, we have visited many Senior Citizen Centers in Utah and other states, and we just cant believe that with around 400 Senior Citizens around, what few take advantage of such a lovely center. If you dont take advantage of this, it will be taken away from, and then watch for the complaints. Salina Seniors, Get Off Your Buns before its too late! Spike and Ivah Doverspike Salt Lake City Sevier Valley Tech lists cuts that may be made if initiatives are passed Tech will have to modify its operations from $175,000 to $260,000 out ofthe$1.3 million revenue supplied by state resources. This in turn would Sevier Valley Tech is getting ready to face possible budget cuts that may come if the Tax Initiatives are passed by the voters. Director Dr. Robert Anderson Jr., reports he has submitted two budget impact statements to the State Board of Education. Anderson said that nonpersonnel items would be cut first, but eventually some personnel would have to be cut. He said the full time staff at Tech is now 34 people. Any cuts would have a long lasting effect, he noted. If the Initiatives are passed, from $1,225,000 generate to $1,820,000 as the original dollar moves throughout the business Editors Note: The Salina Senior community. Anderson says Tech will be hurt if the initiatives pass. Since we are a public service agency, the general public would not have the educational services provided at the level upon which they have come to rely or expect, he concluded. Center serves a well balanced, tasty, lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week. Vote for tax initiatives Dear Editor We either cut or pay and Brand Inspector stops sale of stolen cattle evidence to obtain an arrest warrant. Marion Steed was arraigned on a charge of third degree felony livestock theft on October 14, and was released on his own recognizance while waiting for trial date to be set A third degree felony is punishable by a $5,000 fine and five years in prison for each count Any vehicle used during the theft may also be seized and sold by the county. This kind of case is exactly the reason we have a brand inspector assigned to every livestock auction in the state, said Terry Menlove, bureau chief of animal identification for UDA. An inspector is required to check every cow, horse and mule before it is sold to prevent the accidental or intentional sale of another individuals animal, he concluded. , Have you seen this man? Kendall Northern, an in-- ! mate of the Utah State Prison who was being housed in the Duchesne County Jail, escaped, and is now at large. He was last seen wearing a red plaid shirt, levis, blue with red jacket, and carrying a duffel bag. He is believed to be armed and danger . ' ous and should be approached with care. Northern is a white male, 26 years old, 64 tall, weighing 320 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact their local authorities or the Department of Corrections. out the tax initiative: Contrary to some opinions, the changes made by the Legislature the pst two years will provide low income taxpayers with a larger permanent reduction than it will the high income taxpayers. The Foun- dation analysis shows that between 1987 and 1988na typical family with a $50,000 income will realize a of only 11 percent. All time a one received tax taxpayers rebate equal to 12.5 percent of the 1987 state tax liability, duction we tend to pay, says Bob Martinez, When you get hit with a recession you have to do something to make up the difference says Governor Rudy Pepich, of Minnesota. This is a big puzzle, says Roy Baul, a Syracuse university specialist in state public finance. Its an era when people want less government, and yet a lot of states are raising taxes. Governors and state legislators arent known as being overwhelmingly supplyside, says Richard Doernberg, an expert on taxation at Emory University. There in the business of government, and they like collecting money. We should never be surprised when taxes go I say to the states that raise up. taxes: Good Luck says Alan Reynolds a supply side economist Theres a lot of evidence that ex Floridas governor. AT RICHFIELD LIVESTOCK AUCTION Brand Inspector Terrill Staples was doing his usual Wednesday job of checking cattle brands and ear marks at the Richfield livestock auction yard on October 12, when he noticed something unusual - the brands and ear marks on seven cows and calves in a lot of nine mixed head had recently been altered. Still able to read the original markings, Staples checked with three Garfield county residents who had registered the original brands and ear marks with the Utah Department of Agriculture. They told them they had not sold any cattle to the person who had entered the stock in the auction. The brand inspector then notified Garfield County sheriffs department, and Deputy John New-- ; man helped him gather sufficient A sample menu from this weeks offerings included Roast Beef, whipped potatoes, gravy, cauliflower with cheese sauce, cherry crisp, bread, butter, milk or juice. Throughout the week there are fresh baked goodies such as cinnamon rolls, combread, pineapple upside down cake, and more. The Center asks that you call by 9:30 a.m. if you plan to have lunch there, so that they will prepare enough for all. They 'ask only a small donation. Seniors from Redmond and Aurora are invited to attend. More than just a delicious luncheon, it offers a chance for Seniors to get together and visit with friends and neighbors. The Center also offers such things as good books to read, billiards, games, puzzles, quilting, and of course, the monthly Pot Luck Dinners. . The Redmond Senior Citizen Center recently lost its lunch program due to lack of participation. Lets enjoy what the Center offers, and not lose this valuable asset to our communities. cessively greedy states lose people and business to their neighbors. In an address to a tax seminar attended by government and business leaders in April, Joseph Cannon, president of Geneva Steel said, As a state we need to pill together and think of ways that we can stimulate economic development, because that is the way to solve the problems we have in the state. We cant tax our way out of the problems but we can work our way outof them. I agree, what Mr. Cannon is advocating as I understand it is to work on expanding our tax base so that the government doesnt get into the business of taking a bigger piece of a smaller eco' ' ': nomic pie. For long term prosperity vote for initiatives. A, B and or C. Sincerely, Linda L. Wilson Redmond, Utah 1 y Here are some ways to cut government spending Dear Editor Ive heard many times the challenge, you guys always tell us to cut spending but never tell us where. Well, here are a few. Im sure many more of you can add to this modest list, especially those of you who work day to day in the various areas of state and local government but may be afraid to speak up for fear of offending a superior. 1. Replace vehicles at 90 at 100 thousand miles. 2. Reduce some of the crews from five to three crosswalks painting persons. 3. Have the eight state employees who attended a meeting in Price use less than seven cars to get there. 4. Move the DepL of Oil, Gas and Mining offices from the Triad Center if less expensive quarters can be found. 5. Cease duplicating the EPAs monitoring of nuclear fallout, get copies of EPAs reports. 6. Reorganize ports of entry as recommended if not already done. 7. Reduce paid leave by Utahs higher education officials. 8. REduce the amount of paid leave which can be carried over from year to year. 9. Reduce the number of leased vehicles and require state or local government identification on leased vehicles. 10. Improve collection and billing procedures for mental health centers. 1 1. Improve guidelines and supervision for state tax commission auditors. 12. Use individual auditors instead of teams for audits. I was personally involved in an audit where three auditors did the work which two could have easily have done. 13. Phase out the tax break retired state employees. given 14. Buy less elaborate four wheel blazers for some to use. According to Research Report number 500 published by the Utah Foundation, Utah had the highest tax effort among the eight mountain states and ninth highest in the U.S. Tax effort essentially means how much government uses its tax sources. Of course since that was 1985 that doesnt reflect the largest tax increase in the states history in 1987. As my wife told Roger Tew, of the state tax commission, If we make the cuts, then who needs you guys? Sincerely, Russell R. Wilson Redmond, Utah New organization for Choice in education Members of the legislature and others, joined with Senator William T. Barton, a long time supporter of education reform through choice, in forming a new state wide organization called Utahns For Choice in Education. Barton reports that Utahns have the opportunity this year to lead the nation into a new era of opportunity in education. The Family Choice in Education Act, Initiative C, which is not a tax initiative, but a reform measure, would provide great benefits for the public education system, and at the same time give parents more control over the education of their children. By giving parents the choice offered in Initiative C, we will allow them even greater choice in selecting the program best suited for their childrens needs. At the sam e time it will take pressure off the public system and generate money that can be used in support of public education. If you would like more in- formation, contact the organization at 968-245- 3. |