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Show j::v:::j ILBttttBir ltd) went "over his head." We have enough laws if everyone would just do their job. When the Derby was all over and we knew that Ron had not been hurt too badly, all-in-all we felt that we - had put on a good show. I hope that f' this does 'hot get out of handi'Bi the .'' future1 are fWe going to need a' fire ' or church functions of over 100 people? We all moved to Park City because of the small town flair. Let's not turn it into another San Francisco or New York City. I do want to thank all who helped with our "annual" Derby. And thank you Commissioners for your unbiased unbias-ed decision. Sincerely, Michele Thille now, but the only ones who really cared enough to see how I was doing were those you are showing in your article as being irresponsible. I feel Ernie and Michele did everything they felt was right for the safety of the drivers and spectators. The Emergency Center and ' fire dept. '-' l)(were onjiand incase of, emergency. i do want to thank all the people who pulled me out of the burning car (you know who you are, because frankly I do not), and also the Park City Emergency Center for relieving my discomfort. I am happy to say I will be all right and will not even have any scars because of their efforts. I also want to thank Ernie for giving me the opportunity to experience the "Ride of My Life." Too bad there aren't more people like him who are as giving of their time and energy toward the fun and entertainment of others. As far as safety features go, it was the safety belt that kept me in the car causing me to be bumed as bad as I was. God only knows what would have happened if I had had a helmet on. The fire was going right up my arm. For all I know, the helmet would have caught on fire. I knew there was going to be considerable danger, but I did not fear my life because precautions had been made. If the fire department wanted us to wear fire-retardant clothing, why didn't they tell us when we first . asked for them to be present? It's easy to say what should have been done after the fact it has already happened. I hope th;3 small incident does not cause the prevention of further events out at Ernie's. Let's not let the government bureaucracy take over the rights of the people. It is our constitutional right to be able to conduct a peaceable assembly. Sincerely, Ron Welch Educate them on fire safety Editor: In response to Fire Chief Jim Berry, who after providing minimal protection protec-tion at the Demolition Derby is backing out of any future responsibility, responsi-bility, it seems to me like a simple project, educating the drivers and promoters on fire safety. If Berry were a competent fire chief, he would have had his firefighters inform the drivers what they need to do to be fire safe. It's sad to see someone in a leadership position back down on an event that not only is entertainment but also an event that generates common interest and brings people together. It is obvious that Berry didn' t want to have anything to do with the event by trying to squash the beer license one week before. It would be nice to see the Fire Dept as well as the Police Dept. work with the people instead of against them. Jeffrey Wright Outraged Editor: I am outraged over last week's front-page article and editorial on - the Demo Derby.-" n', i iv i You implied that Ernie was an imtfptaffibWuTtearing 'perSotfwe n: . spent weeks together working on the Derby making sure we had all bases covered when it came to the safety of all who attended. We wanted the beer license so that no one would be caught driving with beer in their cars. When we first approached the County Commission they told us we could probably not even have the Derby unless we could prove we had I "all our ducks in order." So I went back and got a letter from the Park City Emergency Center stating they would have their van and two EMTs . on hand. Dr. Dooley also said he was planning to attend, which he did. I got a letter from the Chamber of Commerce stating they were in full support of our Derby and asking that the commissioners grant us all I licenses necessary. I even got a very commendable letter from the Fire Department, signed by guess who (Jim Berry), stating they would be on hand for the Derby and also provide extra fire protection in the surrounding surround-ing area. We had to show we had adequate restroom facilities and even went as far as hiring extra professional security guards to help us keep cars from parking on the road to stay in Sheriff Eley's good graces. The Commissioners felt as I did. That as long as people would be bringing in beer anyway (such as at the Oakley Rodeo), why not serve it there to keep it off the roads. I did have to prove that we had a responsible person serving beer and that we would not serve to a minor, We also made it so that you could only buy one beer at a time so that you wouldn't be taking it to someone else. Let me tell you, it was not easy to acquire this license! But, what does the beer license have to do with the fire anyway? And that is the issue, isn't it? It seems to me that everyone talking negatively about the Derby was not even there. Is the Fire Department so embarrassed embarras-sed about their performance that they have to strike back at us? If we didn' t think we might have a fire, we wouldn't have made sure the Fire Department would be there. Demolition Demoli-tion Derbies have been going on for years all over the country: Why doesn't the Fire Department tell us the rules they want us to follow instead of saying we won't do it anymore? Ernie and I just wanted to get involved and provide a little fun and entertainment for our community. Well, I can assure you we are tired of doing something for nothing. We'll probably just be selfish and ride our horses from now on. We didn't really want to attack the Fire Department. W e were willing to let a sleeping dog lay, but now we just want to defend our good name. Sheriff Eley's ego must have been bruised when the Commissioners Sad error Editor: ' A misfortunate situation has arisen between Ernie's Rodeo grounds, the Sheriff's Dept, and the Fire District pinpointing the beer license at the rodeo grounds. This is sad error on the part of the tax-supported organization. Since Park City is a resort town, our summer activities are low and contributions to developing summer recreation have been a priority for many people. These people have donated much of their time for the betterment of summer recreation to bringing more commerce to this area which provides less unemployment during the summer. I feel that the Sheriff and Fire District have overlooked how much Ernie has contributed to this. For the past 10 years Ernie has developed with volunteer labor his rodeo grounds for summer recreation and it has meant a great deal of enjoyment for the people of Park City. Ernie and his volunteers have contributed to the development of summer recrea- Letters to A5 Nothing but praise Editor: If anyone should be complaining about the Fourth of July Demolition Derby, then it should be me. But, you will hear nothing but praise from me. In your last week's article, you are insinuating that I did not know 1 what I was getting into. I am not a minor, I am a responsible person and I take your front page article as an insult. I am 46 years old and quite responsible for what I do. First of all, I do not drink alcohol and I cannot understand what the commissioners' decision, to grant a beer license had to do with the fire. The beer did not catch on fire, the gasoline did! In fact, I am quite thankful the beer was there because that is what they were pouring on me to put out the flames. I was waiting for the fire department's hoses but they never did come. Everyone is putting up such a fuss WW itDne MnttdDr . , - - -1 Letters from A3 tion as much as anyone else. As far as the beer license is concerned, it is as much for the convenience of the spectators as the ski resorts provide on the hill. I hope what I've said would help and Eley and Berry reappraise the situation and come up with a more favorable approach to helping make this area an all-season resort. Dennis Dale Thanks, Richard Editor's note: Reprinted below is a copy of a letter let-ter written to Richard Scott. Dear Richard: Thanks so much for your assistance assis-tance in the 4th of July run. In particular, I would like to thank you for the arrangements you made in connection with the Motherlode condo that the Salt Lake Track Club used. We appreciate your assistance, assis-tance, as well as the support of Ann and Mac (MacQuoid). We had 285 registered runners this year. We had hoped to have had near 400, however, the four-day weekend had some apparent effect on the number of people who participated. In any event the proceeds, less the cost of the T-shirts, amounted to $897. I would like you to know that the three sponsors had out-of-pocket costs which they donated to this cause, including $500, which Gary Cole donated in gift certificates for the winners. KALL Radio had approximately $300 in donated ribbons, medals and trophies, as well as several thousand dollars' worth of free promotional advertising, advertis-ing, and Industrial Supply donated $775 in pre-race advertising and artwork for the T-shirts. Numerous other people in Park City were helpful in making the race a success and we appreciate their help. In spite of the average turnout, we are told by people who write about, promote, and run races that this is becoming one of the best run and most enjoyable events on the race calendar. Thanks so much again for your help. Sincerely, . Phil Thompson It should be teen's choice Editor: In my own opinion I believe it should be up to the teenager whether or not they are to partake in receiving or using contraceptives. We already have one of the highest teenage birth rates in the United States. If it becomes up to the parent to decide for the teen we may 1) increase birth rate even more andor 2) deny teens of needed medical help. If this law is passed it will ruin the rights of teens to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy. It seems better to have teenagers on birth control rather than having unemployed parents who cannot afford babies. Some parents forbid premarital sex and the teen must then be responsible for him or herself. This law could result in teens needing parental consent for dental care, medical care and contraceptives. Tiffany Rodman Special thanks Editor: I want to say "thank you" to the many friends and good neighbors who remembered me during my recent hospitalization. Thanks for the many beautiful flowers and cards. And a special thanks to my family for their love and concern at this time. Thanks so much. Violet S. Terry Letters Policy The Park Record welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. However, we ask that those letters adhere to the following guidelines: They should be submitted to the Park Record offices at 1670 Bonanza Dr., or received in the mail (P.O. Box 3688) no later than 5 p.m. Monday. They must be signed. They must not contain libelous material. We reserve the right to edit letters if they are too long for the space available, or if they contain statements which we consider unnecessarily offensive or obscene. |