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Show c ommunity lews A2 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009 SPANISH FORK 280 North Main St. Spanish Fork, UT 84660 Lane Henderson Publisher Namon Bills Editor Dana Robinson . Assoc. Editor The Spanish Fork News is published each Wednesday for 537.50 per year in area and $41.50 out of area by J-Mart, 280 North Main St., Spanish Fork Utah 84660. E-mail stories to edicor@spforknews.com E-mail ads to ads@spforknews.com Call us at 794-4964 POSTMASTER Send address changes to Spanish Fork News 280 North Main St. Spanish Fork, Utah 84660 The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright © 2009 Spanish Fork News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the editor or publisher. THE SPANISH FORK NEWS (USPS 024716) is published weekly tor $37.50 per year by JMan Publishing, 280 North Main Sr., Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Periodicals Postage Paid at Spanish Fork, UT. POSTMASTER; Send address changes to The Spanish Fork News, 42 East 300 North, Spanish 1'ork, UT 84660. DEADLINES Weddings, anniversaries, missionaries, 1st birthdays, articles, photos, letters to the editor Covering what matters most The space to disagree Newsprint Musings Namon Bills As a small-town paper, our opinions pages are seldom fraught with controversy. We've had a little more than usual lately, and that combined with the 4th of July holiday this past weekend has got me thinking about the freedoms we enjoy and the space to disagree. In recent letters to the editor over the past few weeks, Luke Graybill was upset because Salem was having a prayer. Gary Davis was upset with Luke Graybill (and the Obama administration in general, but the two are ostensibly unrelated). Bruce Penland wrote in favor of the school district bond, and Mark Jarman responded, opposing it. It's been interesting for me to participate in these exchanges essentially as an inside observer or dispassionate arbiter. As long as letters to the editor meet certain standards of decency and local pertinence, I see it as my duty to print them, whether I agree with what they say or not. This can be difficult at times, because of course I have my own opinions, and sometimes it's hard to keep my mouth shut and just run the letter. But I do it, because this is an important part of freedoms we enjoy as Americans — the freedom of the press. This basic freedom is not just so those who own or manage newspapers can express their views whenever they like; the freedom of the press is the right of every member of the community to openly voice their opinions in a public forum. The freedom of the press goes hand in hand with free speech, and forms a corner- stone of any democracy or democratic republic. Totalitarian regimes recognize that they can't stop people from having opinions. But they can (and do) throw people in jail for expressing those opinions. Our privilege as Americans is not that we can think, but that we can openly say and discuss what we think, and the freedom of the press allows us the space to do that. I may disagree with a letter to the editor, but I support the writer's freedom of the press in being able to have their opinions published, and in that way to enter into a public dialogue about per- tinent issues, As I reflect on our freedoms, I've come to appreciate the wisdom of the Founding Fathers in recognizing that with open public discourse will come disagreement — and that's OK. Disagreement among our citizenry is no sign of weakness. In fact, this discourse and disagreement are an integral part of what makes our country strong and helps maintain the freedoms we enjoy. So among the many things great about this nation of ours, Fin grateful, this Independence Day, for the space to disagree. Correction Mayor's Corner Pioneer Cemetery Upcoming elections In the story on the Spanish Fork Pioneer Cemetery in the July 1 edition of the News, the DUP was listed as donating the land. Fred Vincent, past owner of the property, deeded the cemetery piece to the city several years ago. The DUP oversaw the property, lined up scouts, church groups and community groups in an effort to maintain the monument and cemetery. As a part of the restoration, the DUP has had fund raisers, cookbook sales and quilt raffles and sales to raise the money for the statue. They are still raising money for the story boards and a wall of remembrance with the names on it. Friday, 12 p.m. (801)798.8777 77 EAST INDUSTRIAL PARK DR. SPANISH FORK A CARPET & FURNITURE mum. I think council members should take on projects and roles of leadership to bring about change. Wayne Anderson has done just that. He's worked on projects which include the regional waste water facility and the county "equestfiarrc'en1ter and the return of the county fair to Spanish Fork, and more. This is why I whole-heartedly endorse his candidacy. As a member of the council you're only required to attend the city council meetings and the various board meetings that you are a member of. There's some addi- tional work also. If you do just that you've done the job. So if you've ever considered running for public office, now is the time! I also hope that if you get elected you'll role up your sleeves and take on positive change. We need you! As your Mayor I urge you to get involved, get informed and vote in November. There is much work to be done and we need good people to run for office and more good people to get involved with keeping Spanish Fork great. Mayor Joe Thomas Spanish Fork / * 30 C off '20% ol in-stock furniture sq. foot in-stock tiles Free • Measurements - Beautiful furniture showrooi $2 off Letter to the Editor Vote for Shirle Rae Money Shirle Rae Money is old. an amazing member at Please vote for her Curves. She has been as Curves' most amazhere with the Spanish ing member by going Fork Curves the lon-to www.curves.com. gest, 10 years; has come While there, you can into Curves to exercise also see her profile and the most of any mem- watch a short video ber; and she is the old- of Shirle. We all love est member at 83 years Shirle and admire her. In Utah County in-stock carpet Hey voters...it's time to start thinking. You're probably not thinking about elections at this moment, but now is the time. Candidates for the office of Mayor as well as two city council seats must be applied for by July 15. I'm aware of "one candidate so far...Wayne Anderson. Wayne will be running for Mayor. In my opinion and my experience Wayne has done an excellent job as a city councilman. I think he would be an excellent Mayor as well. I think council members should do more than the mini- 1* We need the votes of the community to help her win. She has been in Spanish Fork for a lot of years, and we want her to know how much we appreciate her. Thanks for your votes. Linda Munter Spanish Fork // retf tag items excluded NOW OPEN Kiwanis SALEM HILLS PHARMACY PHARMACIST BRENT WARREN Come in and experience your nes community pharmacy. Serving the entire Salem, Woodland Hills area and beyond. • Locally owned and operated to serve you • Competitive prices / Unrivaled service . • . • Prescription delivery for the home-bound • Refills done online, over the phone, or in person '.'"..' • Prescription transfers . . • Compounding pharmacy (call for details) Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday Phone: 801-723-0570 • Fax: 801-723-0575 Inside Crisp's Grocery - 795 N. SR 198, Salem ' • . ,. GOOD NEIGHBOR PHARMACY Courtesy photo SERVICE PROJECT: Last week the Kiwanis Club cleaned, scraped, sanded, and painted the concession stands at the fairgrounds. Those attending Fiesta Days and other events will appreciate the new paint. All monies raised at these concession stands during the Fiesta Days Rodeo will go back into the communities of Spanish Fork and Salem to benefit the youth. |