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First Carson Smith Scholarships Awarded
Education Excellence Utah will hold a news conference to announce the first Carson Smith scholarships today at 3:30 p.m. at Success Point, one of the schools participating in the Carson Smith scholarship program. Location is 12608 S 125 W in Draper.
At the brief news conference, the families receiving Carson Smith scholarships will be honored by Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, Sen. Curt Bramble and Rep. Merlynn Newbold, who will participate and offer brief remarks. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Royce Van Tassell at 836-7028.
Reader Response
Honored to be a Politician
(Note: Rep. James Ferrin, R-Orem, sent along the following thoughtful essay in response to the Pignanelli/Webb column in last Sunday’s Morning News.)
I am occasionally asked to speak to Utah school students. I am introduced as a legislator or elected official. I tell the kids I am a "politician." Then, I like to ask them to raise their hands if, for them, the word "politician" carries a negative connotation. I usually have to coax them just a little to assure them it won't offend me if, for them, "politician" is a negative. Most hands will go up.
Seriously, "honest politician" is almost an oxymoron. And, "dirty politics" is considered the norm. So, the kids, like many of your readers, view "politicians" negatively. I then like to tell them why I am so PROUD to be a Utah politician. I am a participant in a free and open political process. Their parents can elect me or throw me out every two years. I am held to strict standards of accountability [as compared to, say, Nigeria, Libya, Syria, Mexico, or much of the rest of the world]. I cannot rule the state. I can only strive to persuade others. It is a FANTASTIC system. It is an HONOR to represent 30,000 of my fellow citizens. It is a system that thousands have fought for and died to create and preserve. Even today, we have young soldiers worldwide fighting and dying to establish elsewhere what we have here.
What would the world be like if the nations of the Arab world had political systems like ours? What would the world be like if "politicians" everywhere were freely elected from local neighborhoods, like ours? Imagine what the world would be like if all the policy proposals of freely elected representatives were scrutinized for constitutional and fiscal muster, like ours? With this discussion, I tell the students that the actions, policies, and proposals of freely elected public officials in Utah should be closely scrutinized. And, they are! That is one of the many the beauties of our system. And it is why I am HONORED and PROUD to be a Utah POLITICIAN.
I know that you guys know this. But, unfortunately, many lose sight of this. Thanks for your article today - not for the sake of the individual "politicians" - but for the sake of our people and our system.
Legislature Watch
Lawmakers to Visit Evacuees
Utah Legislators will participate in a walking tour of Camp Williams on Wednesday at 11 a.m. to check on the situation with evacuees from New Orleans. Verdi White, director of the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, and Mike Mower, director of legislative and constituent affairs for Gov. Jon Huntsman will host the tour, which begins at 11 a.m.
Washington Watch
Hatch Offers Advice
Federal Appeals Court Judge John G. Roberts Jr. began hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday on his Chief Justice nomination. Sen. Orrin Hatch offered Roberts a little counsel: “You must decide how best to honor your commitment to judicial impartiality and independence. You must decide when that obligation is more important than what senators, including this one, might want to know.”
USDA Awards Utah Grants
The USDA has announced various Business and Housing Development Assistance grants “to promote homeownership opportunities and support the creation and expansion of rural businesses and jobs in rural communities.” Utah organizations to receive grants include: The Intermountain Community Capital Corporation, $750,000; Aneth Chapter Community Development Corporation, $190,680; the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (NAVASEW), $50,000; and the Community Development Corporation of Utah, $32,000.
The USDA has also announced Economic Impact Initiative funding awards for Utah, to assist with community development projects. The following Utah organizations will receive funding: City of Price, $200,000; Myton City, $22,500; Blanding City, $45,000; City of Helper, $55,000; Duchesne County School District, $40,150; Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - White Mesa, $300,000; Wasatch Academy, $16,000; Juab Special Service Fire District, $50,000; and DirectMD, $24,600.
Brigadoon to Benefit Evacuees
UPD reader Gordon Jones sent along a note that the Draper Arts Council will hold a special encore benefit performance of its hit musical "Brigadoon" tonight at 7:30 pm at the Alta High School Auditorium (11055 S. 1000 E. Sandy) with all proceeds going to the Katrina Relief Fund. The musical opened to rave reviews this past weekend. A minimum tax deductible contribution is suggested of $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family. All Camp Williams Katrina evacuees are invited and will attend free.
"Brigadoon" is the story of two American hunters, lost in the highlands of Scotland, who stumble on a small town not listed on the map. The village of Brigadoon only wakens for one day every 100 years. One of the hunters, Tommy, falls in love with one of the townswomen, Fiona, but is afraid to give up everything he knows; she can’t leave him without breaking the spell. Back in New York, Tommy cannot forget Fiona. Find out how he solves this impossible "lovers quandary".
Moderates to Meet
The first meeting of the Voice for Moderation 2005/2006 season will be held at the Anderson/Foothill Library on Sept. 21, at 6:30 pm. Economic development will be the topic of the meeting with four speakers, Linda Muir, Dir. of Marketing, State Office of Economic Development; Robert Farrington, Executive Director, Downtown Alliance; Scott Berryessa, President of the Jordan Education Association; and Courtney White, Director of Bargaining and Research for the Utah Education Association
The new board of Voice for Moderation includes Lynn Price, President; Ellen Reddick, Vice President; Larry Siebers, Secretary; and Marie Cornwall, Treasurer. For more information, call Lynn Price at 583-1828.
Correction
Monday’s UPD Buzz Section incorrectly stated the Tax Reform Task Force would meet on Wednesday. The correct time is Thursday at 8 a.m. in room W135 of the Capitol.
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