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Show Review -- Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1987 -- Page 2 ales tax for newspapers violatespress freedom The Utah Legislature is considering adopting a measure which would eliminate the sales tax exemption currently given to newspapers. The results might be up to $2.5 million added revenues to the state coffers - and the impoverishment of an entire state. The newspaper business has historically been exempted from collecting sales tax for a good reason -- because it is different from other businesses. Instead of selling goods and services, the newspaper business deals in ideas - and the founding fathers recognized that ideas merit special treatment in a free society. That's why several states refused to ratify the Con-stitution until a Bill of Rights was promised.-- - and foremost in that document, in the First Amendment, is a guarantee of freedom of religion, speech and the press and the rights of assembly and petition. The First Amendment protects our rights to share information and ideas - and the press is a principal provider of both information and ideas, as well as an open forum for a community to participate in the process. In taxing newspaper sales, state government is taxing the exercise of First Amendment freedoms - making them conditional on the payment of the tax. Such a tax also puts government in a position to control what information is and isn't diseminated. It is not a proper role for the government in a free society. It also classifies the acquisition of news and in-formation as a taxable privilege - when, in fact, it is a right which should be subject to as few limits as possible. There are countless other reasons to oppose such a tax. Because of the way newspapers are marketed subscriptions, news stand sales, newspaper carriers - collecting such a tax is more costly than it is worth. Also, increasing the cost of newspapers results in decreased circulation and creates a chain reaction which means reduced advertising, reduced ret and, in the long run, reduced revenue to h operators and to the state coffers. Us'iess At a time when so many newspapers oner ' marginal profit, sales tax added onto other cost 8 well mean the demise of some newspapers may not be state governments problem ?h 6 of some businesses, it is where the newsnanc is concerned. lrtry Society benefits from a greater number of voices, and it suffers when those voices are quiel But beyond all other arguments, it is simply wr force people to pay the government so they can k constitutionally-guarantee- d freedoms. ,e!tereise That's why Utah granted newspapers an from sales tax in the first place, and whv thePvP 05 should continue. exemPN Impinging our First Amendment rights is too i for all of us, regardless of what revenue might? y from such a tax. result Even joggers need identification j By MARCELLA' WALKER p.g. blab Last week when the Orem woman was killed when hit by a car while jogging along the side of the road in North Orem, the people who work in the Pleasant Grove City Hall and Public Safety Building were trying to help the Orem police to learn the identity of the woman. This was a frustrating experience for all those involved because they reportedly did not know who the woman was until late that afternoon when the woman's husband came home from work and learned from his children that their mother had not returned from jogging that day. He then called the police. Efforts were made all during the day to identify the woman, who had died in the afternoon from the in-juries sustained early that morning when she was hit at about 1700 North State. A recent article in a newspaper recounted a similar incident which occurred in another state. In that case the jogger was hit and killed and could not be identified either. Joggers do not normally carry a purse or wallet with them as excess baggage. But it would be well if there was some type of identification on their, person just in case:it should be needed. The name and address of the person could be placed inside the shoe, or, we understand that there is a small plastic holder which can be attached to shoe laces in which the person's name and address could be placed. This small plastic holder was band and drill team and cheerleaders did a great job. Of course, so did the team. The team is playing very well which is quite commendable considering they have a brand new coach and the players seem to be smaller than most of their competitors. Probably the only thing missing during the Homecoming game and halftime was the information from the loudspeaker. There wasn't any. Maybe there was a power failure or something, but we have been spoiled by having a good loud speaking system at the games so that we knew who did what and when. It would have made the welcome for the Homecoming royalty a little better if they could have been announced. Oh, well, you can't have everything. Have you been up the canyon to see the autumn leaves? They have been gorgeous this year. The reds of the maples are redder than they have been for a long time it seems. The quaking aspen lost their leaves, for the most part, earlier than usual. It has been dry and maybe that is the reason for it. The trees on the front side of Timp at the top of Battlecreek Canyon are flaming red and orange and the colors seem more intense this year. Maybe it is because of the contrast with the burned area to the south of it. A week ago we spent the weekend at some friends' cabin above Coalville. Their place is - there among the changing d and a look out of their mnfc 'j breathtaking. We took a ride high t mountain where we could L-around the area. The red andte leaves came in bunches terspersed with bright yellwsiv ! the faded colors of sagebrush other undergrowth. Sometime I would like to be ' Vermont in the autumn becas i I pictures you see on calendars ilij white church in the y I surrounded by hills of blazing ai looks so inviting. Back there i trees are everywhere and soS color is everywhere. Here in Utah the brightly tolie Hi leaves are not so plentiful, ftv f. in bunches, splashed acres' ft mountain as if the color was cm w from a giant brush in the sky. The patches of color grab tri y0 senses and you hold on for dear b p because that spot will give war. the faded and drab colors of jjgj desert. fr0 The carpet of color at the top yoi Battlecreek draws the attention swi every person driving up 200 Soul eah just like the blanket of snow It hes covers Timp does in the wiitatiic Fall is officially here. The NFl: the on strike. BYU lost toTCU. life-- There is bad news all around! phoi the mountains will be beautiful fc: peoj few more days. PGHS wiUwK addi more games. And Christmas is;; "i around the corner. Whew! e ( what reportedly invented for use by children so that they could be identified in case the child was lost or kidnapped. In the military and on LDS missions, the clothing of each in-dividual is stamped with some form of identification. This might also be a good suggestion for all of us to follow. ,. ... - '. After that grim note, let's go on to something more exciting. Accolades should go to all those who participated in the half-tim- e activities of the PGHS-Spanis- h Fork game last Friday night. It was Homecoming, the weather was perfect for a football game, and the " letters to y the editor J Thanks to Dot Smith We, the concerned citizens of Pleasant Grove, wish to express a warm thank you and deep ap-preciation for the many years of valuable service which have been so willingly given by Dot Smith, who has recently retired as city librarian. Many of us have grown up under her helpful hand and watchful eye as we researched materials or just a plain good book with which to entertain ourselves. Her cheerful smile and warm hello will be missed by young and old alike. During the past several weeks a fundraiser has been held at Nortons Grocery Store enabling the citizens of Pleasant Grove to make donations and express their ap-preciation for the good work which Dot has done. Those young citizens which donated their time for this effort were Lacy Willden, Charlotte Needham, Holly Adams, Julie Stansfield, Melanie Morton, Melissa Morton, Misty Beck, Jillyn Willden, Wayne Stansfield, Brett Clayson and Jayson Willden. In all, over $340 was collected. Dot in her usual, gracious unselfish way has requested that these dollars be given directly to the new library fund, so the legacy of her efforts might be passed on to generations to come. We would like to express a special thank you to Nortons Grocery Store for their civic participation in allowing our fund raiser to be staged at their business facility. And a special thank you goes to all of you who made contributions to our cause of appreciation. We sincerely wish Dot the best in her new endeavors and challenges. Sincerely, Holly Stansfield, Holly Morton and Julie Stansfield For consolidation vote Editor: - ; v:,... I appreciated reading the com-ments of the Alpine School Board entitled "Both sides of education issue" in the Provo Herald. The interesting part of their letter was the indication that they would be receptive to consolidating the school districts in Utah County by a vote of the people. They gave three points of criteria which must be a result of consolidation by study, before allowing the citizens to vote on the question. Number one, that it will actually save money. Number two, that the quality of education will be as good or better. Number three, if the above two items are positive, the issue should be placed before the voters of Utah County. I agree, and I hope that they will follow through with putting this on the ballot. Consolidation is already working very effectively and efficiently in most counties of our state, with a lot larger area to administer. The argument by the larger district administrators against the com-parison by area size, is by quoting figures of population, per capital, per pupil ratio, per thousand figures to confound and confuse the issue. Our many students in this county are now being taught by teachers in each school very effectively. Each school has its own administration personnel. With consolidation of school districts, there would be no change in this area whatsoever. The number two criteria men-tioned by the Alpine School Board would be. met. The quality of education would not change. Parents and students would not - even realize any change had taken place. We now have three school districts in our county - Alpine, Provo and Nebo, all with heavy administrative personnel, separate accounting, payroll, warehouses and maintenance personnel. With consolidation, these would all be combined, eliminating duplication and waste, and reducing some personnel and benefits. Criteria number one would be met, with a resultant savings. Criteria number three states, "If the first two are positive," then the citizens should have the opportunity to vote. The education administrators and their unions argue that supervision of principals would suffer, unless they keep the same number of administrators. They give very little credit to the principals. Teachers and principals would still have a department or area supervisor to contact as they do now. They would not need to have three of them. One set of administrators and supervisors can enlarge their area of responsibility, just as they have done in other industries, without affecting the quality of education, or we get new supervisors. WHat is the necessity of an ex-tensive, expensive study. Common sense and reasoning shows that the criteria can be met by con-solidation. The time for change and not talk is here. Let the people vote by ballot. -- ILL. Wright rem People, Politics & Policy Homecoming & nominations for office By E. MARK BEZZANT With 2:28 remaining in the second quarter, the score was A.F. 0, Brighton 0. The darkness had en-veloped the whole of the Utah Valley. Looking beyond the glaring lights of the stadium one could see the silhouette of Mt. Timpanogos. Just a few street lights could be seen at the foot of the mountains marking the city of Pleasant Grove. It was the look of a peaceful country town nestled serenely at the foot of the majestic mountains. With 2:28 remaining something magic happened. There appeared in the darkness of the night a fire-lik- e symbol clearly visible to much of the valley. Once again the "G" on Little Mountain had been lit. In Viking stadium townspeople and visitors were celebrating as the Viking ball handlers picked apart their opponents from the South. At about 10 it was all history, P.G. 35, S.F. 17. All that remained of a great Homecoming Week was the Saturday evening dance. The hubbub of the great carnival was over. Jani Jones had been crowned queen, Jenny Smith, first attendant, Lauri Maughn, second attendant, and Lori Smith won Miss Congeniality. While the queen pageant was underway Thursday evening, another important event was transpiring. In the basement room of the city complex, and in the old seminary building now known as the Recreation Building, the future of Pleasant Grove was being decided. The local political parties were selecting candidates to replace three outgoing members of the city council. Present Councilmen John Frampton and David Faux had decided not to seek reelection on the Peoples Party. On the Citizens Party slate, Lloyd Ash wanted to seek another term and see the city library completed and finish up some other things he had a special interest in. Those who are seeking office should be applauded by all and supported by those who share their particular views. Those who win can and will make a difference in the future of this city. Mayor Holdaway said that in two more years you would be hardpressed to find a pot hole in Pleasant Grove City roads. By then the library will be complete and paid for. The previous indebtedness will be eliminated. The city paid cash on the barrel head for the new city hall. The seniors will have a new home all paid for. Councilman Ash reminded those at the Citizens Party convention that the city council had to say no a lot of times in order to say yes to these kinds of projects. One should not overlook the restoration of the "Old Bell School" where a beautiful bicen-tennial program was held last Thursday. Just as the bell rang, the balloons at Central Elementary were released. All of that work was not done by paid city or school employees but by great volunteers. It was the high school PTSA that sponsored the first carnival. It was the Central Elementary PTSA who spearheaded the balloons. It was the Kiwanis and Key Club that spearheaded the first lighting of the "G." It was the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers that spearheaded the restoration work on the old school. A few years ago it was the Linebaugh family who restored the bell on the old school so it could ring. Have we got problems in this city? Yes, we have problems but we ought to be a part of the solution! If you missed the party conventions then be a part of the campaign. If you hate campaigns then shake loose some money and give it to the library. If you have not got any money, volunteer some time. If you haven't got any interest, time, or money, what have you got? Com- - missioner Malcolm Beck reminded hundreds of people Friday night that it really is we the people who make the difference. Lincoln said that those who have a hand to help have a right to criticize. My ex-perience is that those who are helping have less to criticize. Mayor Holdaway, members of the city council, President Bill Holman, members of the student council, thanks for the memories and your continuing leadership. It has and is making a difference. Lindon Council other Lindon City Council will Mi slruc regular meeting at 7 p.m. Mi erpia nesday, Sept. 23, at the Cc. Room at the Lindon City HaP'j mean 300 North. This meetings? Dar poned from last week. Rem The public is invited to atW call. The agenda includes J j. "h Gillman from Utah Poweraiu, ho and the council will reviewar. from Timp Truck and Travel'-- , q Stop for a water line. jl The Redevelopment Aft j report on the West Sji , Project. J J The city administrator on the Flood PreventionWj Reports will be gives 1 Ife mayor and each of te coJpart, At the conclusion of 3 a time will be allowed for Mb. to address the council. top, PG City Council Continued from front page weekly for the assistant librarian and this is quite a bit more than parttime work. This would be better broken down into two 20 hour jobs. This would also provide for a sub-stitute if one was ill or on vacation. A decision was to be made soon on who the new assistant librarians would be. The council was told that there have been about $25,000 in donations to the new library and many of these are from out of state and from Lindon. There has been about $40,000 donated for the Senior Citizen Center. A question had arisen regarding Memoriam donations for the library where a picture and information about a person can be placed in the new library for a donation of $1,000. It is permissible for two people, such as a husband and wife, to be memorialized if they are included in the same portrait. Another question was whether a person still living could be memorialized. This is perfectly alright, the council members said. Mayor Holdaway noted that Governor Norm Bangerter had told him he felt very good about his trip to Pleasant Grove to see the Bicentennial Dance Festival held in conjunction with the Community Fair on Sept. 5. He said that the governor gets many such invitations and has to turn down most of them but was very pleased that he decided to come . to the local program. - The city council also signed three proclamations including one for Constitution Week on Sept. 17 through 23 and joining the nation in ringing the bells across America. Another proclamation set aside October as Cosmetology Month. The theme for the month is "Ask us, America, we'll groom you for success." The council also signed a proclamation for the U S. Soccer Federation which is making an effort to get the 1994 World Cup in the United States. ISSNN0.87K-- U.S.P.S.No.4357 p Published weekly " VJ for nd Christmas by N( II Soulh Mate Ple.s.nt Grove. U"1 QE Telephone Na!"11 r Advertising 4 Circulal Wisher Editors iiwcHUWf Subscription pricef' Grow r al pleasant P O. B" '. Ammo' ir ti RPMN Uf HI 2 |