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Show Q'pinion October 1, 2004 The Summit County Bee Page A2 Tell Me About It SOMETIMES FLACK THIS TOWN DRIVES ME NUTS-WITH ALL ITS POLITICS AN' BY LEON SIMISTER GOSSIP! That's the gone. These are not all of them, stuff our WWII either, just a sampling of some of bomber pilots the activity that used to occur had to fly within this incorporated area. through in No question about it, there have order to deliver been far too many former busitheir war-short- nesses gone AWOL from ening payloads Coalville's business history. It to the enemy seems as if private enterprise for target. There's our comer of the world is in a sad, a lot of that sad state. If nothing else, it's stuff flying around this peaceful apparently somewhat less than little Coalville settlement. I col- successful for projecting an image lected some of it last week. . . (and of the robust business cycles have done on a regular and fre- expected from a County Seat. quent basis. . . uh, dependent upon Really, it's quite impossible to die severity of my opinions in this ignore all these - too many column). And I will probably con- vacant, former, used-to-be busitinue to be a targeting source for ness locations. How difficult it is, all non-thinkers to shoot at. sad - nostalgic in fact - to view I'm not trying to be irreverent these ghostly, stark, empty buildin addressing some folks as 'non- ings which once housed vibrant, thinkers,' and, yes, there are at busy, energetic, money-generating least a few citizens who have real- enterprises. But to now admit that ly thought-out the problem of why they are just empty, unproductive Coalville is struggling financially symbols of better days.. . (sigh)? (first off, we have to recognize Another have-to-mention hub and admit - that we Coalville-ites of activity - the former Post Office are struggling). Well, it's worse - is also vacant on Main Street than just struggling. Not to be an because the Gummit built a new alarmist, but, in my opinion, our one - but, this time, not on Main economic status may even be on Street. Yes, most of us admit the the threshold of extinction. Too new facility is much better, but its severe of an analysis? change has left another un-rented Consider this: Tell me you've Main Street location, which helps seen some of these always-thriving us, uh. . . for zilch. It merely adds businesses recently: Such as. . .any to the list of vacancies, as this list of the many barber shops that used approaches the red-light, needs to exist in Coalville. Or, how crucial consideration, and serious about the Down's Hotel, Motel planning for just how to - not so and Cafe, Hill Hotel, Barber's much beautify our city, but plans Variety Store, Paul's Market, that will literally, if we have to, Robert-Frank's, A&V Lunch, drag some - numerous - people Dean's Coffee Shop, the into our town. (Frisk 'em for Chevrolet, Ford, and money first, and throw back the Pontiac/Cadillac Dealerships, non-spenders). Because that's Judy's Shop, Moray's, Gephart's, what we need in this town . . . cash Geary's Service Station, Gail flow. Nothing else works as a Stockman's Service Station, good substitute. Ward's Service, Lou Saxton's It appears - from this viewpoint Repair, the Locker Plant/ Meat - that a fair majority of Coalville Market, Smith Welding; citizens agree that it is simply not Optometrists (?), Spudnut Shop, possible to spend your way into Bristow's Service Station (still prosperity. As, therefore, they part-time - maybe?), and the forev- have interpreted the (no other er-favorite, Dean's Coffee Shop. word will describe it) amazing Well, Yes, and scads of other Planning Commission ideas hopeful, but half-hearted, transient intended to generate activity in enterprises that have come and Coalville. These preliminary plans certainly portend to require massive $$$ amounts in order to implement their struggling-to-propose beautification plans. The reason for Coalville's hardto-avoid demise, (I'm worn-out harping so much about it) is, simply put, that we lack a vital and energetic traffic pattern flowing through Coalville! We, therefore, need to implement plans that will, first, establish this type of a preponderant traffic flow. Once we get the bodies in town, then we can go after the sought-after, planned improvements that will entice them to keep coming back. Perhaps a thought for accomplishing this, rather than the massive expense of beautification $$$ spending, would be to encourage more activities such as, and in addition to, the CABA Fishing Derby, the CABA Car Show. Wow!, and, of course, a big 'Hats Off to the likes of Cliff Blonquist and his hard-working, talented crew for the level to which they've elevated the Summit County Fair. They know how to bring a crowd of traffic. Yes! we need more of that type of activity - events that will put people on the streets of Coalville. Then. . . and only then . . ."If you build it, they will come," will be proven true. We'll then be ready to build almost anything, and the current, luke-warm public distaste for 'pie-in-the-sky' planning will metamorphose into a fever that will accomplish whatever this community joins hands in doing. That would enable us to forget the 'extinction' prediction, because, if accurate, we'd, first, have to disincorporate Coalville as a city - which inevitably causes this chunk of real estate to revert back into the hands of Summit County. But, hey! It might not be as bad as you think. Why? Causer d'ey has d'e money. And that alone solves a lot of problems. Thought for the day: "It's not that I fear death. I just don't want to be there when it happens." -Larry King. ..IT COULD BE IN COULD BE FLORIDA! WORSE... #'04 I www.barryscartoons.com Continued from page A1 Regional News Notes youth music, and a display of winning posters from our poster contest. This event is free and everyone is invited. The posters are being created by students from county schools following the theme "A good thing to do when I am angry is. . ." The contest is open to Monday, Sept. 27, Gov. Olene Walker brought all students and the posters will be picked up at the together leaders of Utah Higher Education, the busi- schools or they can be delivered to the Peace House ness community, and the Utah Department of in Park City or the Children's Justice Center in Workforce Services to explore Higher Education's Heber. role in producing the trained workers Utah's economy needs now and into the future. The forum was held at the Salt Lake Community College and included presidents of Utah's ten public colleges Joye Ray and Geniel Thornton, Proprietors at the and universities, several members of the State Echo Reservoir were very proud of their employees Board of Regents, the commissioner of higher edurecently as they participated in a highway clean up cation, more than a dozen business leaders, the leadproject from South Beach to the resort center. " ership of the Utah Dept. of Workforce Services and They really did a super job of cleaning up all of the several state legislators. trash people have left along the road. It was amaz"We know that a key to economic success is s ing to see the amount of garbage they collected," well-educated'and highly-trained workforce, and said Joye. "It was nice to have our employee's willmuch of that is accomplished through our public ingly give service to the community." institutions of Higher Education," said Walker. " Congratulations on a job well done to the followWe also realize that we are facing shortages in some ing; Supervisors; George Mecham and Devon Clark critical areas of qualified workers. I felt it important and youth; Jared Howard, Chandler Jones. Debra that we bring together key leaders in education, Jones, Monica Jones, Abe Kentor, Debra Kentor, business, and Workforce Services, to discuss what Kody Mecham, Derek Jones, Shalee Phelps, Tonja our workforce needs are today and tomorrow, so we Phelps and Kelly Shupe. can work together to ensure that we are meeting those needs." Forum Explores High Educations Role in Meeting Utah's Workforce Needs Youth Provide Community Service Midway Business Alliance PAM'S PIACE Last weekend two very special events took place that I enjoyed attending. Whenever assignments for the paper are on the docket, I find some are cool and awesome and some are boring and I drag my feet. Covering the 100th year celebration for the Devil's Slide Cement Plant was fun because it has always held a special place in my life as many family members worked there through the years, including my grandfather, Tom Ovard, my father Lloyd Wilde, My husband, Dave, my son Russell, nephews, Kory and Yancey Staples and a smattering of uncles and cousins etc. I have enjoyed learning more about the history of "the slide" and find it fascinating to note the many historical and significant events about the town of Devil's Slide, the people and the plant itself. Lately I have pondered my personal memories of the village such as going to see Dr. High to haveraytonsils out in his office and taking along my blankey, "pinkie" and eventually being married and having him deliver my first two sons. The big trees with their green leaves of summer or the crunchy yellow leaves of fall. I remember walking from the doctor's office to the drug store to purchase a drink at the soda fountain, seeing the old post office slots, or just buy a treat or a treasure I had been wanting. "Walt" performed many functions from store owner and clerk to pharmacist and was a very nice man. It was sad to me to watch the houses come tumbling down and the village disappear. During one of my earlier assignments with the paper, I remember covering a train derailment in the town. The "lost" items on the train included toys of every size and shape and as I watched them being dumped and covered with dirt for insurance purposes, I was wishing I could take an armload home to share with my boys and the neighborhood children. It was fun to visit with my dad in the shop where he worked and enjoyed his association with fellow employees. He was always covered with cement dust but his smile made you forget that. Then when my hubby was employed up on the hilltop (quarry) as the mechanic I remember helping make the holidays nicer by making sure they had some yummy dinners or treats. The supervisors over the years and the employees I met were always nice and friendly-no wonder the plant has lasted 100 years. Working with caring people at the plant in order to get needed information made me thankful once again that there really are nice people in this old world. Those in charge of the celebration really put their heart into it and it showed. Congratulations on a job well done. Later in the day our family was able to enjoy another celebration-the 90th birthday of our dad and grandfather. It was so fun to see the colorful decorations that reflected the fall sea- Got a News Tip? Caii 336-5501 Domestic Violence Coalition Plans Candlelight Vigil son, the people who turned out for his open house and the smile on his face. I would like to send out a special thanks to those who sent cards for the occasion as he has really enjoyed them. Guess that proves once again that cards really are a positive gesture in this life. Well enough for now. . .Make it a great week by doing something fun and creative for someone special. . . LETTER TO TIHE ECHTOR ^ ;Let Your Voice Be Heard! * Town Meeting - Meet Summit f County Sheriff, Dave Edmunds See ya next time. Subscribe Today Summit &ee Sufi PUBLISHERS Dick Buys Sue Buys Managing Editor Laurie Wynn Editor The Summit and Wasatch County Domestic Violence Coalition will be holding a candlelight vigil in support of domestic violence victims on Oct. 12 at the Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St., Park City from 5:30-7 p.m. There will be guest speakers, Pamela Robbins The Summit County Bee (UPSP 525-640) is published weekly for $18 per year in Summit County, Senior Citizen Discount, $15 in county; $27 out-of-councy by Wave Publishing Inc., 165 South, 100 West, Heber City, UT 84032. Periodicals Postage Paid at CoalviUe, UT 84017. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Summit County Bee, P.O. Box 7, Coalville, UT 84017. The entire contents of this news paper is Copyright© 2004 The Summit County Bee • and/or Wave Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Managing Editor or Publisher. Did you know that there are approximately 150 business and artists tucked away in Midway? We would like to invite you to come and enjoy the opportunity to meet some of these people and see a showcase of the talent in Midway. Many wonderful door prizes will be given and you can partake in an abundance of goodies. All for free! Join us, the Midway Business Alliance, on Thursday, Oct. 7 at the Midway Town Hall from 6-8 p.m. iv Editor: About six weeks ago, during the renovation of the freeway overpass on Hoytsville Rd., my son and I were stopped by a Summit County police officer on our way home one evening. We had just gone around a "road closed" sign, due to the bridge work that week. "Do you know why I pulled you over?" the officer asked. ' T m assuming it's because I just went around that "road closed" sign," I replied, "but as you can see, this is the only access to those homes over there and that's where I live:' "You live over there?" He queried me. "Yes." . *••; "Which home?" ^: "That home next to the bridge." "Is your current address on your drivers license?" he asked. After providing my drivers license, which showed that I did at least live on Hoytsville Rd., I was told that I had been speeding. Under the circumstances, I questioned the officer at length and was ultimately given a ticket and told that it was "not an admission of guilt" and that I could contest it if I so chose. I was upset and decided that I would, "do something." I believe very strongly that the issuance of tickets has gone way beyond the punishment of criminal offenses, that it has become a "means" unto itself. I think speed traps are a poor use of an officer's time. I think that when officers have to "look for" reasons to hand out a ticket, when they "lie in wait" to "catch" someone in a moment of infraction, that's beyond service to the community. When it gets to the point that the common citizen has to be the criminal in order to justify the existence of the police force, then something is way out of balance and it is time to re-evaluate the way our tax dollars are being spent. With that in mind, I went on a "witch hunt" of sorts, bound and determined to show that law enforcement in Summit County had grown a bit too big for its britches. I found quite a few people who agreed with me and that spurred me on. : I got a copy of the Summit County Budget; I contacted the sheriffs department for a few facts and figures; I looked up the census records and I came across several things that fueled the fire. But in the end I had the opportunity to talk with Summit County Sheriff, Dave Edmunds, and Captain Joe Offiret. And do you know what? I liked them, they actually agreed with me on a number of issues and that took a bit of the wind out of my sails. (Keeping everything in perspective-there are officers out there who will never win a congeniality award, either, that's another issue). In an age when governments are huge and to be a private citizen feels very small, it is easy to understand why apathy is as common as discontent. It is also easy to see why many private citizens feel like the powers they have turned over to their government are no longer being used in their best inters worse, that tf ere is nothing they can do about? it. However, if we really believe there is nothing we can do, then pur voice will never be heard. , * ^ /'; We live in a small communityand that stiU has a few advantages. When a number of us asked Sheriff Edmunds to hear our voice, he welcomed the opportunity. So, what would you like to know? How many police officers need to be devoted to the recently created "traffic division" in Summit County? Do we really need a traffic division? How much does the County road (Main St.) between Echo Dam and Wanship need to be patrolled? Are the speeds along this road entirely appropriate? Are all those black sheriffs vehicles patrolling the county roads really necessary in a community the size of North Summit? Come and visit with the County Sheriff, Dave Edmunds Wednesday evening, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Coalville City Hall Building (10 N. Main St.) For more information call 3364283. ; :, MJPangman |