OCR Text |
Show Questions Burn Plant wisdom Editor: As a non-resident of Bountiful, I have a perspective to share that needs expressing. Like the neighboring communities around her, Bountiful is nestled and protected between the lake and the mountains in a gorgeous setting of South Davis County. Virtually all of the traffic of the continent passing north or south through Utah merges into a single stretch of I-1 5 past the "City of Beautiful Homes and Gardens" in a perpetual parade of review. And, like me, most who view her picturesque landscape land-scape in passing are touched and impressed. There are myriads of colored flowers along parking strips and in medians. There are manicured parks, a world class ice arena, a scenic golf course, municipal pools, lighted ball diamonds, a shooting range, and dining, theatre and art. There is evidence in abundance of prosperity and pride. There are no polluting industries and no parking meters to feed. Nobody lives "across the tracks." There are mountains with good trails and canyons with clear streams with hundreds of places for picnics and shade. There's a well-trained and equipped fire department which makes insurance premiums lower. There's police and emergency emergen-cy assistance with a two-minute response. There's the city-owned city-owned power plant with utility rates that are less. There are capital improvements and projects underway. There is money in reserve and a budget in the black! I commend Bountiful city residents, employees and officials offi-cials not only those present, but of decades past who have been prudent, visionary and sensitive as public issues were resolved. It would appear that the decisions of progress have been made with the interest of making life better for people in mind. . . 1 have observed, in addition, a willingness by Bountiful to ' share in some services with other Communities in the spirit of promoting the common good. Every day Bountiful has the opportunity to be a "good Samaritan" to the communities around her, because years ago, she upgraded her services and implemented a 91 1 -emergency communications system. In an emergency, the Bountiful police dispatcher has instant capability capabil-ity to send the appropriate assistance the right police department, depart-ment, fire unit, the paramedics or highway patrol. For years, all the neighboring communities of South Davis County have shared the Bountiful Area Refuse Disposal (BARD). For a dollar and a BARD card citizens of South Davis could dump a whole trailer load of trash. We have entered a new era. Communities of South Davis County have "seceded from the union" and citizens are making an adjustment to the change. Now, Bountiful residents, alone, have a sanitary landfill and Bountiful has an ideal location to build a future burn plant when it's needed and a natural potential to use the energy derived to produce more of her own electricity. There have been numerous articles and debates about the county's burn plant in North Davis. There are piles of reports about issues and concerns like the cost, the less-than-anticipated revenues, no long-term commitment by HAFB to be a customer for the steam produced, the convoy of garbage trucks, tipping fees, subsidizing it and selling it. Cities have been pressured by the county and pitted against each other to protect their individual interests. People have , been offended and inconvenienced as they have learned that if they don't live in Bountiful, the only legal place they may dump their debris is on the hill overlooking South Weber. There is a concern about increased dumping and litter in ditches along dirt roads and in vacant lots from the canyons to the lakes. Citizens may be more reluctant to clean up their garages and yards, or prune back their trees or tear down old buildings and drive twenty miles to unload. In the decision-making process, public officials should always al-ways be sensitive and concerned, not only about legitimate needs, but the overall impact those decisions have on people's feelings and lives. There are concerns that are still unresolved, and surely there are better, more considerate solutions than "tougher laws, stiffer fines, and a bigger jail." . A more sensitive approach by Davis County officials would not only be welcome, but would go a long way in convincing us that our present myopia is really farsighted. What a contrast! Dub Lawrence Centerville |