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Show a pinion Page A2 January 21,2005 The Summit County Bee Tell Me About It IMPASSE YOU SAI|> GLOBALWARMIN' BY LEON SIMISTER We may have already reached it. So far, the cries for help from Coalville's, Planning Commission have gone unanswered and, perhaps, even unappreciated. No doubt, the members deserve a strong round of applause and a big "E" for effort. But, well, that's a lot of time, sweat, mind- and soul-searching, and deep probing for solutions still not firmly accepted by we the people. It appears as if more - and better - salesmanship is needed before our little community is permitted to bury itself in costs which may far exceed the searched-for justifications. There are ways available to avoid this catastrophe. Hasn't anyone noticed that there is a reason for CoalvilJe's stagnation? Personally, I doubt if the reason is that we lack enough trees, benches, floral displays, etc., distributed along our thoroughfares and scattered thither and yon throughout our settlement. No, it's more because of the glaring absence of a vital condition. That 'missing fink' - so to speak - is that there is no 'magnetic attraction' existing in Coalville. Our town lacks the vibrancy of activity, the ability to become the desired destination for people seeking interesting, exciting fun times. Think Branson! Not that Coalville could become that famous overnight, or even within a given time-period of years, but it's possible to at least develop into a location with the potential to attract and magnetize people into visiting us, as well as calendarizing a future, set goal of becoming an established location for enjoyable things that people will love to share. In other words, the ultimate place for people to be. And if our energy is pointed towards this goal, then that would - and should - be where we pin-point our efforts and concentrate our resources. More passe'-type improvements (trees, flowers, benches, etc.) would then, instead of being spotlighted as 'way-to-go' modems, automatically become thoughtful frosting on the cake. More-glitzy events and happenings are the things that, like a moth to the flame, draw people to wanta-bethere locations. "Magnetic attraction" has been defined as being..." a force or condition drawing attention and/or creating response"... But a peopleinterpreted definition, is that it consists of - "things of popular taste, acceptance, quality, or trend" "things" such as celebrations, events, activities. Predictably, people will attend most things that are billed as recreational, educational, personal, profitable, and 'whatever else works,' as well as other creative, excuse-type activities which add to their zest for life. Are we, as residents, along with our officials, unable to grasp reality as to why there is such a poor flow of both auto and foot traffic in and out of Coalville (the descriptive term used is "a mere trickle.") Well, the term's accurate, but the shaky, proposed, cure for it does not inspire confidence. Someone has apparently failed in correctly observing that the real reason is because no 'magnetic attraction* exists as yet. Nor has anyone offered to fertilize such a plan for future usage. Nothing is 'in the chute,' so to speak, that will unerringly and irresistibly draw people to our little village. Certainly, beautification has its merits too, and things like trees, shrubs, flowers and benches have functions to serve as well, by contributing as creature-comfort items but containing little in the way of personal magnetism for drawing people in great numbers towards our community. Talk around town tells me that the Planning Commission's current proposal has virtually no chance of getting the support and public participation essential for it to succeed. A .cruel assessment, perhaps, but accurate in my opinion. It has ballooned into a mighty "tetchy" foundation for discussion, with only the one - fairly obvious - point agreed upon: "Something has to be done in order to perpetuate Coalville's very survival." - Agreed - (period). There is a better-than-even chance that the argument (like, which came first - the chicken or the egg) over 'beautification - first vs. other options - first' is unwinnable and could go on forever. And, granted, we have parking problems, traffic problems, gutter problems, sidewalk problems, well, in fact, a lot of infra-structure problems. Just like eating an elephant, you do it one bite at a time. But, in taking that bite, we must be careful of chewing on something that could be totally indigestible. One problem, for sure, our gutters bordering Main Street are way too deep, and it's become an 'everybody knows' topic that the Blonquist Brothers (Summit Merc) have spent part of the family fortune for liniment which they've used on their back muscles - constantly over-strained from lifting customers' cars out of those chasms we call 'gutters 1 . Suggestion: Main Street has ample 'crown' for the drainage of naturecaused water (rain, etc.) so the cur- WUZJUSTA rent drop-offs could be filled with, say, oil-mulch or concrete, up to within about 6" or 8" of the gutters' back-walls. We don't need'em this deep now, because of the installation of our new, secondary water system. Yeah, there are numerous other questionable flaws in this proposed 'beautification plan* as well, but discussion about them is bound to discourage not encourage, be highly argumentative, contentious, too debatable, long-lasting, and they may even have been already discussed - but unpublicized - and accepted as solvable with a (damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead) philosophy. Well, there are myriad problems yet to solve, not the least of which is: Coalville has no police force, and it seems incomprehensible to this columnist that any plans, changes, upgrades, or public work projects of any kind could be entertained without the presence of law and order influence. And don't think we can continue to hit on the Sheriff's Department for help (note: kudos for them, they've been remarkable at response to Coalville's pleas for help). Because Summit County encompasses a huge area, and it's spread-out geography makes 'time of the essence' when officers try to respond quickly, problems may not be able to be solved as quickly as we'd like. Then there's the cost of remodeling a city. It's huge. Where's the money coming from - and when? Where's our money tree? What's the waiting period? What's our priority status? Federal funds may be as inaccessible for as long as eight or more years. State funding? Dumbesillah. It's uncertain if Utah's out of hock over the Olympics yet. But there is a solution, ever present, and looming larger all the time. Coalville's solution could be, simply, DISINCORPORATION! YES! Hey, don't faint, and don't knock it, because there is an upside: Money! We don't have enough - ever. Under County watch-dogging and their umbrella, we might. One thing is certain; we'd, then, have a police force. Well, whatever will be, will be. But, thanks, anyway to our planning commission, for your hours of toil, for wracking your brains, but mostly for your ability to endure the ensuing criticism which inevitably occurs whenever new ideas are generated. Some things just neccesarily have to happen... and, predictably, they do. Thought for the day: "But even God is said not to be able to fight against necessity. -Plato. The Summit County Bee Is Your Hometown Newspaper. Call us with your story Ideas! 336-5501 c7/ C* /he Summit PUBLISHERS Dick & Sue Buys General Manager Paul McFee Managing Editor Laurie Wynn Editor Pamela Robblns Columnists Leon Simlster Jan Patterson Bee Office Sharon Pace Business Manager Joe Wynn Pagination/Layout June Mulr Annette Motley Office Manager Nancy Davis Heber Office Melanle Townley Tony Telg /^ J? C* DO L^ountu (Z5ee S^tctff & II Advertising Sales Barbara Christensen Kari McFee Graphic Design Annette Motley Brett Mlckelson Natalie Crow Promotions Joanne Archbold Production & Press Jay Provost Dan Carlile Randi Carlile Jennie Ferreria Donna Harrison Daren North Ken Hastings Kari McFee Stuffing Crew Jason Fage Josh Cameron Mike Bumes Karen North 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-county by Wave Publishing Inc., 165 South, 100 West, Heber City, U T 84032. Periodicals Postage Paid at Coalville, U T 84017. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Summit County Bee, P.O. Box 7, Coalvule.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. JOKE; WAITIL Y'ALLSEETH' ICEBERGS! Continuedfrompage Al Regional News Notes Attention 4-H/FFA Junior Market Livestock Exhibitors The first educational workshop offered to 4-H and FFA members planning on showing market animals at the 2005 Summit County Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m. at the South Summit Middle School Auditorium in Kamas. Topic for the workshop is "Raising a Quality Market Animal from Start to Finish." Workshop will include discussion on selection, nutrition, care and fitting/showing. Darrell Rothlisberer, Rich County Extension Agent will be f the guest speaker. . v For additional information contact your FFA advisor or 4-H office at 336-3219, 615-3219 or 783-4351 ext.3219. : Parenting 101 Classes Parenting 101 classes "Kids Don't Come With An Instruction Manual'* continue at Valley Mental Health this Monday. Parents with children of all ages arc meeting on Mondays from 12 Noon to 1 p.m Come during your lunch hour and learn parenting skills and share ideas with others. Classes are held at Valley Mental Health- 1753 Sidewinder Drive, Jan. 24th, Feb. 7th and 14th. For more information call 435-649-8347. PAM'S PIACE Talk about a whirlwind weekthis one definitely qualifies for a "mish-mash" type of column. Far too many topics to focus on just one. First I would like to compliment everyone who had a hand in the recent re-burial of remains found at the site of the new North Summit Middle School. The event in itself had its solemn moments in giving people a chance to think about the lives of the six persons whose remains were found. A male, female, and four children now are buried in the Coalville Cemetery thanks to the city who donated the site next to the veterans memorial just inside the gates on the west side of the road. I was very impressed with the work done on the six small caskets by the eighth grade shop class students. This was no hap hazard job as they were highly crafted, sanded and something these pioneers would be astounded to learn was just for them and a lot different from the ones they were originally laid to rest inside. The funeral services held at the school were very impressive and the speaker, Jon Baxter from the Bighorn Archeological Firm, did an excellent job of presenting his findings at the site mixed with his own thoughts and perspectives on the situation. Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds presented an award to the school to thank them for their efforts, mentioning the impact Coalville has made on history-from its pioneer beginning to the current events. And, since I am a lover of good music, I was moved to hear the musical voice of Robin Judd who once again did a great job bringing the words to life. After the services as the honor guard stood at attention it got very quiet inside the auditorium as they paid silent tribute to the pioneers being honored. Going outside the building, those walking to the cemetery took time to bundle up against the cold temperatures as they followed an old time hearse owned and driven by Alan Siddoway accompanied by Jim Mitchell, owner of the matched team of horses. They made a very impressive site traveling along the highway with people stopping along the way to view the procession. At the cemetery, the caskets were placed one at a time onto a plank covering the single vault that all six were later placed inside. As the site was dedicated by President Glen Brown, I felt some of the peace these persons must have felt as they reached their final resting place and I was reminded of a favorite song "Come Come Ye Saints." What a wonderful legacy our pioneer ancestors have left for us with their display of courage, strength and the ability to endure whatever came their way! NaVee Vernon, County Historical Society Director did an excellent job of putting everything together from start to finish and should be complemented for her effort. To all involved in any way, it was a great way to show respect for these pioneers. With that news over it was time to check out an avalanche situation near The Canyon's Ski Resort. For years I have spoken and written many positive things about emergency personnel and the Search and Rescue team members. Once again I marveled at the hours these people give up in order to search for someone they did not know, putting families, employment and other events on hold. It takes a lot of behind the scene effort to accomplish such a huge task; from those manning the phone lines and security efforts to those out pushing (literally) through the snow. I have seen the many faces of the searchers as they return to base-sometimes wearing smiles of relief when a person has been found and knowing closure for families can be made to the times when the situation never reaches a conclusion before search efforts arc called off. In this particular case, a snowboarder chose to ski in an out of bound stretch of mountain in order to reach the good stuff, only the situation ended in tragedy. Utah as a whole is experiencing a different type of winter; rain, snow, warmth, and freezing temperatures-all combining to make the perfect scenario for avalanche danger. On Thursday evening I was visiting with one of the Search and Rescue members and we discussed the dangerous conditions in the Uinta Mountain range and the potential for disaster that could hit in a moments notice. I am quite sure neither of us realized that in a few short hours tragedy would strike and a 27 year-old Idaho man would lose his life. How sad for his family—but perhaps a wake-up call has been made? I suppose on a personal level the situation struck home as I have five sons who all like to "play" in the snow. For weeks I Jiave been asking them to stay home or at least stay on the trails. So far, even though they are certainly old enough to do what they want, they have actually listened. When I viewed a television interview with several young boys wearing smiles and saying they had just been heading for the place where the avalanche took place because they had "done it before and nothing happened" I actually got a bit mad. I believe if I was their mother they would find their skiing days numbered for awhile until they took an avalanche training course at least A fire in Coalville on Monday reminded me of yet another lesson we need to leam - don't play with matches as it is true they can start a fire. The home suffered extensive damage at a very cold time of the year. Well enough for now... Thought for the week "-Never Explain- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway." - Elbert Hubbard See ya next time. Summit County Bee Drop Spot UINTA AUTO PARTS 235 S. Main Kamas Effective Immediately!!! |