Opinion

In December 2012 Sentinel News polled  our local legislatorsto discover the top legislative issues for 2013.  Most replied on issues with State finances, and the “Fiscal Cliff”.  Related issues include Obamacare, the State budget, and Education funding.  Following are their individual responses.

Editors Note: In our latest edition of the Sentinel we failed to print the continuation of this article. We apologize for the inconvenience. Here is the article in its entirety.

On November 13, 2012, Pleasant View City held a public hearing to consider re-zoning property near the corner of 2700 North, and 600 West in Pleasant View to allow for high density housing.  The City Council heard arguments for private property rights, and a place to live; and against decreasing property values and increased crime etc. before it denied the request.

     Pleasant View City council recently held a public hearing on a request to rezone a piece of ground to permit construction of an apartment complex.  Many citizens spoke against having low cost housing in their neighborhood, and all of the city councilmen unanimously voted to prohibit the development because,  they said it did not conform to their vision for the city. The zoning ordinances are written to segregate the more expensive private homes from the lower cost housing provided by the apartments. 

This is a winning article from "Our American - Do Spirit" essay contest.

Shallow roots run in my family. Much like Redwood trees whose root systems don’t appear to be long or deep enough to sustain them, I lack a long line of ancestors who possess qualities which build spirit.  How can the future be positive when you don’t have a substantive past?

Utah's Republican majority in the Legislature is jumping the gun with many members' efforts to be first to reject any association or participation wit hthe federal health insurance exchanges, which are slated to start in October 2013.  Legislators would be wise to emulate Gov. Gary Herbert, who is seeking answers from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius before he takes a stand on whether Utah would join the exchange.

Our editorial board asked our Governor, Legislators and us to “Work with feds on (healthcare) exchanges.” And tells us the act is the law of the land and we should accept. I know this editorial staff would like us to think that the law is settled. However, most of America thinks not.

The editorial board seems to forget that even after the Obama administration rolled out all of the positives about the law, like young

A Soldier's Homecoming

When silence isn’t golden, making space for buried fears,

A long-awaited welcome home becomes the place of tears.

A glance into a hallway mirror reflects a youth denied.

This soldier carries memories of his comrades who have died.

“Why did I survive?” he asks, the visions of those days

Speed coursing through his weary mind.  They say it’s just a phase.

There are children here to think of, thrilled to have their father home

And a beauty who has nurtured and protected them alone.