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Show WASATCH COUNTY COURIER asatch Schools, MAY 23, 2001 Warm & Fuzzy istening to some teachers ‘and administrators In our short time looking at the school district we have come across you get AINT NOTHIN’ LIKE A CLEAN fe ARDS EH, NEIGHBOR? the feeling all is warm and fuzzy in the Wasatch County schools. Talk to almost anyone else, including large number (off the a of teachers and staff record of course, fear retribution) and the improper meeting practices, illegal ‘purchasing procedures, improper dismissals of both staff and teachers, and draconian disciplinary practices. We are looking into allegations of abuse of office. We are also investigating allegations of a rumor mill system that appears to be used to justify dismissals based they all picture cated Usually this involves rumors about a dismissed employee’s personal life designed to is discredit them and justify their dis- not so cozy. missal. Problem is, many of the rumors are so vile they can ruin the subject’s life, both professionally and personally. This rumor mongering, if true, is a new low for professional ethics in. Wasatch County. As The school system, if not already broken is, at minimum, seriously in Tyna: ARAN ANISKICH COUNTY. CUDIpR For instance, what kind of a school system disciplines students with treatable behavioral problems by sending them to solitary? These aren’t death row inmates we are talking about, these are children. And it’s not a ques- tion of resources. Doctors we've talked to tell us there are federal dollars available for pro- need of an overhaul. Parents, it is time grams that deal with children with special needs. All we have to do is ask. So lhe on intentionally fabri- misinformation. Sending a student from class to sit alone and stare at the wall is the equivalent of the medieval punish- what is next for our forward looking ment of being locked in stocks and publicly humiliated. Is public flogging next? ae a organized effort by — _ This plan which has not been offi- in Heber cially adopted yet provides for about two miles of commercial development along the east side U.S. 189 north of Heber with the commercials zones transitioning into residential community areas as you go farther up the hill. If the city does not support the > annexation of this region into Heber the college to get the water and sewer to build their pro- posed campus north of Heber City. Since the. campus would _ City, the city council is ceding control be an invaluable asset to the community, the residents of Heber City and possibly the residents of the county as a whole may want to consider helping finance — the infrastructure so the project can move forward. The history of the development of _ this project and Heber City's apparent opposition to the current proposed location is worth recounting.| A long time ago Heber City and Wasatch County reportedly came to an agreement that neither entity would — support development north of Heber City. Although this agreement was most likely informal in nature, the of developments in this region to the county. The college wants this land to be annexed into the city because the city could then provide the campus with water and sewer services. While the city is rightfully concerned with the cost of running services to the proposed college site, the cost of not doing so would be that businesses. in Heber along Main Street would have to compete with the new commercial developments north of Heber that would be approved by the county. If Heber City bites the bullet and votes to annex the North Village region into the city and accepts the cost of running services site, it controls what - Heber City Council has wholeheartedtakes place north of the ly abided by it. Currently, the county But in just the past year0 or so the . to the college development city. is looking for Be our Guest option. When UVSC was first scouting for locations, it did consider land south of town but the owner of that property reportedly wanted the school to pay for much of the land whereas another land owner north of town was willing -to make a donation. Understandably, Sees ‘ the valley can also attract high tech industries that pay for themselves taxwise and have less of an impact upon the quality of life than many others. If Heber City is not willing to bear the cost of supporting the college and retain- the college accepted the free land because it was a better deal. ing control of development north of town, residents of the county should consider paying for the infrastructure. _ Now the college desperately needs to find a way to run water to the campus. Sewer is not such an immediate concern - Although a new bond is the last thing this county needs, it does have the virtue even though Heber City does not have the capacity in the north part of town of actually contributing to the community in an important way unlike so many because alternative onsite solutions may be viable. But unless the college can get Jordanelle. Also, with the whole county — ~ water service, it can't build its campus. Before the citizens of Heber and Wasatch County grumble too much about the cost, consider this. Right now many of the children and grandchildren of existing residents cannot afford to stay in Heber Valley - when they grow up because they cannot afford the relatively high cost of living. If there was a college, more of these kids could get a better education | locally which would enable them to get other county bonds such as those in | paying, it could be paid off quickly. I sincerely hope that the residents of Heber take responsibility because this is a sacrifice worth making. Plus, Heber City's government has the advantage of having the professional competency to manager this pee in a responsible fashion. This is really a once in a lifetime chance for Heber. The land has been higher paying jobs. With higher paying jobs, they can afford to stay. The donated and the state is willing to pony ~ up the money for the campus, the citi- _ zens just have to find a way to give it the water of life. | ommentator The Courier is looking for guest commentators. If there’s something that fires you up, send it to us and we might print it. Speak out. Let Wasatch County know how your feel. Wasatch County Courier 210 East Main street, ee UT 84049, (435) 654- 2531 eae or email: editor@wasatchcountycourier. com oe ba ln phases it has become very difficult fOr: it needs tion south of town is no longer a viable | missioner Ss. Valley. But during these early planning services receiving water from the J ordanelle Special Service District. Heber Valley needs a college cam‘pus and Heber City's proposed loca- alternative . to continue to let locals flow out of the valley while outsiders who can pay more replace them. The college's computer science : facilities and automotive and aeronautical engineering programs could provide the types of high quality education that get top dollar. And by increasing the education level of the local labor pool, asain eas extension campus include cost prohibitive proposals like it. opment, Al Mickelson, the county planner, has developed a land use plan under the direction of the three: com- Utah Valley State College to build a new region which is now dubbed the North Village. In order to facilitate this devel- decided that ALONE TL: an ways to provide services to the proposed college campus but these government DRED or the last year or two there has been wants to support development in this county SAM ALLEN SPECIAL TO THE COURIER CREE H Heber City Needs to Support the Colles ehh LULU | LULL AL MM an Spe Ss RS SL Lb a Le district in dealing with these children? for you to speak out. You get the quality you are willing to settle for. You and your children deserve better. |