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Show ILttfens TTdD IEaDDitdDD0 Tuesday night, a mockery of American Democracy was held at the city council meeting in West Bountiful. The number of people showing up was so large the meeting was moved to the elementary school. The meeting concerned zoning changes in the city's master plan. The zoning changes involved all property in the land west of the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad tracks. At 9:50 p.m. we were told the lights went off automatically, so the meeting was returned to the city hall. Over half the people had to go home because they couldn't get in the city hall, it was so packed. After much heated discussion and with many tempers flaring, a straw vote was held. All the people there except for seven and the city council who didn't vote at that time voted against the zoning change. Later a vote was held among the city council with Bruce Talbot voting against and Wendell Wild abstaining. The rest of the council voted for the proposition in spite of all the opposition. opposi-tion. These members totally ignored the wishes of the citizens and went along with the seven, who voted for. Many of those voting for the proposal weren't even citizens of West Bountiful. Since when do outsiders have more say in a community than those who live there? How can the city council so totally ignore the people when so many were against the zoning change? A petition against this proposal containing 175 names was totally ignored. Many more people would have signed this petition peti-tion if they would have been given the opportunity. We down here feel that a zoning change of this nature would be detrimental to our community and its way of life. It would cause mass and uncontrolled building of subdivisions. This would affect the rural atmosphere and also the owners of horses, chickens and other livestock. It will also lead to smaller and smaller building lots. These ch?jges would also cause problems prob-lems with traffic as there are only three or four roads leading out of West Bountiful. Another point to consider is we already have one of the largest number of children in our elementary school in Davis County, with 35 to 40 students per teacher. Next year it will be greater with the extended day program going into effect. Crime increases also. Very few sidewalks are in West Bountiful, so children have to walk in the streets to get to school. As safety commissioner, on the PTSA board at Bountiful Junior High, this is a dangerous situation. With lots more people in the area this situation will be greatly increased. It is also known that a large number of low cost homes go into default, decay, and rentals. Also we've found out that once people in dense housing projects move in they start complaining about the things their neighbors do, about the horses, chickens, and other animals owned by those already there. Even domestic cats are complained about, look at Fruit Heights. With this proposal going through, what will be next? Will it be our Bountiful Springs Golf Course? This zoning change will make it more profitable to subdivide it, too. Especially now that it is up for sale. We should remember those people on the city council who didn't represent themselves as the voice of the people. Their names are: Lynn Kenison, Neil Hepworth, Claud Vaughn and Mayor Jerry Thompson. These are all names we should remember remem-ber when the next election time comes. Individuals wishing to express their opinions should get in touch with each member of the city council, as more meetings are to be held on specific properties that are affected by this zoning change. We enjoy our rural atmosphere in West Bountiful. It is the reason many of us moved here and we don't want to be driven out. Lanny and Diana Tracy West Bountiful |