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Show ' people. I'olitios & Policy State should get their ducks in a row ltv K. MAKK HKZANT The state government would do , )0 t;,ke a close look at how the 'iv of Pleasant Grove is run and ;'! t0 use the phrase of a great ''h named Don Mower, "Get Lirdw'ksinarow." ! The federal government would do oil to send a lot of its members hick to grade school where they Lid be taught to stand before a ItiP and give a straight answer Led on facts. 1 can think of a number of elementary teachers here in Pleasant Grove who could do a very gd jD wi,n some congressmen. I would put those running for president on the front row That way Joey Biden couldn't call Robbie Bork and others bad names when he is copying others papers. Frankly, I am not nearly as concerned about reintroducing the wolf in Yellowstone as I am about controlling these predators in the halls of government. just a few weeks ago the governor had to take superintendent of public schools, Jim Moss, to the woodshed and give him a verbal tongue lashing. The problem was that Mr. Moss asked for more than Santa and all the elves had made (or everyone. The governor told Mr. Moss that if he wanted anything for Christmas" that he better take his oSiirvfiv- i n ' M U' :"Ml Mr M 71 d Ket a lumP ,)f ' Mi. MosS felt like he had to ask for very.h.ng or the governor and o hersm.ght get the idea his needs "ally did not exist. Most parents can relate to this kind of situation At some point in the dialogue Mr Moss intimated that if he didn't get dVKakcdforthal governor didnt really love him, or words to that ellect. The governor reminded Mi. Moss that last year for Uinstmas the people of the state had dug extra deep to give him what he asked for. Mr. Moss responded that he got less than any of the kids in the school. Mr Bangerter simply had to shake his head and think to himself that some kids just never seem to get enough and don't appreciate what they do get. In a condensed version that is just about the essence of what has gone on, between the governor and public education. It seems that it should not be all that hard to have, even in public, more mutual respect. Representative Don Lebaron pointed to the fact that when one considers church donations that people in Utah make, they rank number one in their support of education. Not considering church donations they rank seventh. I think 1'tahns should be proud of those facts! However, because of the number of kids we have we are dead last in what we spend for each child's education. Yet, with that money educators produce some of the top kids in America, and for that matter in the world. Utahns should be proud of that! To compare a modern school with the schools 25 years ago is like comparing your fuel injected, front wheel drive, stereophonic, carpeted, air-conditioned, air-conditioned, rack and pinion steering, anti-lock brake, fuel efficient, ef-ficient, turbo, to your basic 1973 old reliable. Both vehicles would get you from point A to point B. The sticker price is very different, but so are the options and standard features. Here in Pleasant Grove some department heads used to do the same thing as Superintendent Moss did. They brought in lists for more than the till could afford. They have learned that by being more reasonable their needs are no less important or desirable. It is just that there is only so much money. That has promoted a feeling of cooperation and harmony. Right now the state could use some of that cooperation and harmony. |