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Show anna WASATCH A6- COUNTY JANUARY COURIER 10, 2001 Zero Tolerance on “Gifts” 1. is time for all sporting events, lavish dinners, speak- governmental entities to bite the bullet on the taking of “Sifts” from those persons Rint and businesses that conduct busi- : ness with the government. From the President of the the local garbage ernment United States to collector, no gov- employee should compro- mise his ethics by accepting a “gift.” What if the State Legislature were to pass a bill saying no government employee from Governor to Dog Catcher, can take any gift of any value from anyone having business with the — semantics, it’s a bribe. 7 _ But wait you government employees say, I can’t be bought for a Jazz ticket, just less a more inconsequential gift like dinner, lunch or even a cup of cof fee. Problem is, that flies in the face of our mutual human experience. We all tend to empathize with those we asso- ing fees and campaign contributions have one, and only one, purpose. That is to buy influence with the recipient. Would a Questar, Qwest or a UP&L representative walk up to you, a “valued customer” and offer you a Jazz ticket? Of course not. But become a state leg- government? How about it Beverly and Gordon, have you got the moral courage to sponsor legislation to stop the wholesale influence buying that heavy ciate with. Salesmen try to befriend you weight and the big business lobbyists for the sale, not because you're a gifted ‘pervades will be falling all over themselves to get conversationalist. Worst yet, people can to bottom? And local government offi- you a front row ticket. Since the “gift” is be bought cheaply. The occasional soft cials, will you pass similar legislation being offered by virtue of the recipient’s governmental position and his drink or cup of coffee subconsciously buys our allegiance to the giver. It’s the | oldest trick in the salesman’s book, and on the county and city levels? And just plain individual government employees, will you volunteer to just say no? Government for and by the PEOPLE, islator or an administrative ability to help or hinder the givers best The influence of money and its use . to secure results favorable to the giver interest, is this really a “gift.” Sounds a lot like a bribe, disguised as a gift, but is pervasive in this county. Tickets to in your gut you know, regardless consistently offers a damn fine return on the investment. So how about reform of state government not for and by SPECIAL from top BUSINESS INTERESTS. Wow, what a concept! this ver Railroad Safety at a Crossroads CRAIG H. LACEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HEBER VALLEY HISTORIC RAILROAD AUTHORITY ; \ n unfortunate Charieston accident has _ 96 decibels ean a 100 feet distance. A prescribed whistle pattern must be blown at each crossing, and everywhere, our train crews have been severely traumatized by crossing accidents. It is even worse when these adequate. This is due to the open terrain, unobstructed sight lines, the low all lights, bells and related locomotive accidents involve our local friends and appliances must be in good working neighbors. small number of previous crossing accidents at this site. Even so, the railroad has scheduled future meetings with UDOT and the FRA, to further Byte upgrading of the crossing. The absence of automatic warning devices should increase the situational awareness of motorists. Railroad near order. recently exceeds, all established safety ing safety in the Heber Valley. In improve crossing safety, it is first at the investigating lawofficers enforcement necessary to understand the roles of found the railroad to be fully compliant and not at fault. the railroad and of cognizant govern- tance of personal responsibility. requirements the crossings. In the incidents cited in a recent Courier editorial, then — - ment agencies, as well as the impor- Heber Valley Railroad consistently meets, and often brought attention to railroad-cross- order to properly address and The Regarding The absence of | automatic warning auto- matic gates and flashing lights at the Highway 113 crossing near Charleston, devices should the Utah Department © increase the situational speed and frequency of trains, and the awareness of of Transportation (UDOT) determines when and where such systems road. Valley Railroad has signs are - “Yield” sign. When motorists ignore these signs and “run” the crossings, - the results are often tragic, with serious injuries, property damage and mental anguish for everyone involved. There is nothing worse than the helpless feeling a ce motive. engineer experiences when a met with UDOT, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) As and Salt Lake Olympic Committee offi- Listen and motorist “runs” a crossing, unaware of his or her surroundings. Once that cials on several occasions, to discuss upgrading the Charleston crossing. The response from these organizations railroad crossings. — The operation of trains across highway railroad crossings is governed by stringent federal and state regulations and is taken very seriously. For exam- happens, engineer can do to change the out-. there is very little that the has been ple, each locomotive must be equipped. with a horn or whistle which registers come, because of the elementary laws advance warning signs, roadway markings and reflective crossbuck signs are of physics. As with other railroads that the existing yellow traffic-control devices, the same as a “Stop” sign or are installed, not the railThe Heber = mea? - crossbuck part of the community, we once again plead with all of you to “Look, _ Live!”, when oo | By working together as a communi- ty, we can improve awareness and safety at railroad crossings in the Heber Valley and prevent tragic crossing accidents in the future. e Salt Lake Tribune: What's In A Name? _.. Who really owns The Salt — -_ Lake Tribune? | An easy question under ~ normal circumstances. But the events of last December, _ which included a sale, Federal Court injunction hearing and eventual transfer of power, were anything but typical, even for the frenetic news industry. : - “Lets recap. At the beginning of December, Tribune brass received a call from AT & T execs informing them, amaz- ingly for the first time, that the paper was being sold. The ~ company, they said, was selling the paper to MediaNews launch. | Ae But the fight appears. far News’ alleged attempt to Group for $200 million. — So. despite the hostile from over. Late last week, undermine “Utah’s Before anyone could take a takeover of Dean “Dinky” WVorce” 3 by « Tribune editor James E. Independent breath, rumors circled about Singleton at the -state’s registo 3:.aShelledy . personally _. W. Dean Singleton, the head — : switching — publication ‘dangest paper, its current editered every! variation ofsthe mornings without paying of MediaNews, whose reputatheir fair share. At issue-was « newspapers name, according » tor owns the following: The tion for cost-cutting is near Saltilake City Tribune, The Utah: .Departments© of the status of Newspaper --to © For his part, | mythical. Tribune, The “Sali Lake Commerce records. In.'one, Agency Corporation, the JOA Singleton, builder of the sevthat controls advertising and | — swift move each Salt Lake - _ Tribune, The Independent enth-largest United States Tribune, The Daily Tribune, Tribune “D.B.A.” (doing busi“newspaper chain, promised— distribution of both papers. Utah Independent Tribune, “ness as) name is now owned Singleton, the Tribune cried, “kick ass journalism.” The Salt Lake Valley Tribune, by Shelledy, a Department of was a “front” for the Mormon Tribune management The Utah Tribune, The Commerce registered agent . Church, who would allow the _ attempted to block the sale. After a two-day hearing, Deseret News switch to morn- The action mirrors a ploy by compro- Tribune columnists Rolly and the mise the voice of the Salt Lake Meanwhile, a war of words Tribune. Following the court ruling, Wells several years ago, in a tongue-in-cheek effort to block the Deseret News’ ~ rumored name switch prior to Federal District Judge Tena _ Campbell request. denied =. erupted between the 7T7ibune and Deseret News over the ings and severely and the fizzling of an appeal, | the deal was done. a failed morning publication Independent Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Daily Tribune and The Salt Lake Tribune trademark. Maybe “Dinky” will change the name to “The Tribune.” 2 oe |