Editor:
Why do the righteous few stand in judgment? Why do the righteous reject change? The Catholic Church has been changing since its inception and will continue changing until judgment day.
As a cradle Catholic, I remember when mass was said in Latin and the celebrant had his back to the congregation. Mass is now said in English with the celebrant facing the congregation along with intimate participation of the congregation as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ministers to the sick. These are good changes. I remember when priests were rarely seen without their Roman collar and nuns always wore habits. This is no longer the norm. These changes, too, are good, bringing clergy and religious closer to the lay congregation.
The church will continue to change for the better. As much as the church changes, it remains the same — true to its core teaching, "Love one another as I have loved you" taught by Jesus. "You" is a collective term encompassing all mankind — believers, sinners, nonbelievers, the righteous and, yes, the gay and lesbian community. Catholic literally means universal, open to all.
When we moved to Park City from "Back East" we realized there was something special about the St. Mary’s community. A warm, welcoming sense not experienced anywhere else we resided. We were accepted without hesitation and consider St. Mary’s our spiritual home. "Why?" we asked each other quite often during our first year here. We both came to the same conclusion. It is Fr. Bob Bussen. We consider him a holy man — reverent, kind, gentle, genuine, inspiring and a brilliant homilist. We have witnessed the greater good Fr. Bob has done for the all people of Park City. We consider Fr. Bob our friend. We stand in support of Fr. Bob today, tomorrow and for the tomorrows yet to come. Fr. Bob knows the meaning of "Love One Another as I Have Loved You" because he lives it.
For the righteous few among us — you know who you are — have you ever asked yourself when perplexed and unsure, "What Would Jesus Do? Therein lies your answer.
Joe and Maureen Sgambato
Park City
Closure of Hilltop Road
Editor:
Thank you for your coverage of a possible road closure in Francis. I have only lived here for two years and so I am slowly learning about how the city of Francis is run. Apparently, the mayor and council members have the power to close any road they want without putting it to a vote of the citizens. Now they want to close Hilltop Road because it is a "dangerous intersection."
There has never been a recorded accident at that intersection. If they close the road, they still must leave the intersection open so that the people who live on Hilltop can reach their homes, so it does not result in the closure of the "dangerous intersection." What it does do is close the part of the road that backs up to a new, proposed subdivision and makes those lots "premium" because of the view.
So in reality why close the road? Who really benefits? Certainly not the people who constantly use the road and the people who use the road for pleasure, walking children in strollers and animals.
The people of Francis who are concerned are getting signatures on a petition to put this issue on the November ballot — let the people who live here and use the road make the final decision, one way or the other.
Sincerely,
Patricia Hartsock
Francis
Michele Wallace termination
Editor:
I’d like to offer some clarification regarding the decision to terminate Michele Wallace, principal of Jeremy Ranch Elementary School. Michele made a scheduling decision to solve a situation within the school. This decision was supported by the staff it affected and the parents whose children it affected. making such decision, Michele apparently violated district policy. The district administration then chose to terminate Michele, even though this was her first offense of any sort, in her 19-year career with the Park City School District.
The school board has yet to weigh in on this decision. Due process involves the district administration presenting their reasoning for termination and Michele’s attorney presenting her reasoning for reinstatement. The school board then decides to uphold the decision of the district or to rescind the decision and reinstate Michele Wallace as principal of JRES. As a parent of a child who is currently enrolled at JRES, I am hoping that the school board sees the facts for what they are and reinstates Michele. As a parent of two children in the Park City School
District, I am holding the persons who made the erroneous decision to terminate Michele responsible for the uproar and distress experienced by the students, staff and parents of JRES. Michele’s record is impeccable. In fact, she has the reputation among her colleagues of being a "by the book" principal. How the decision was made that termination was in order is beyond me. PCSD has never terminated a principal for a first offense. Let alone, in my opinion, for a minor infraction of district policy. The financial expense related to this termination, that I as a taxpayer have to pay, infuriates me. We are all paying the legal expenses related to the district’s defense and I would think, with the budget situation, the district administration wouldn’t make the choice to waste money in this manner.
I’m hopeful that the school board will correct this situation and reinstate Ms. Wallace. She is an excellent principal and it would be a terrible loss to our school and students if she were terminated.
Sincerely,
Julie Eihausen
Park City
Bike lane on S.R. 224
Editor:
I ride my bike as often as possible from my home in Silver Creek to Kimball Junction and Park City. I feel the wide shoulders are essential for the safety of bike riders and a third lane for cars should not be carved out of that space. The traffic is so heavy and moves so fast that bike fatalities would be assured if the bike lanes were given over to cars.
Why not make park-and-ride spaces in Park City and at Kimball Junction with strategically scheduled buses running the S.R. 224 route to alleviate the traffic?
How about bus routes from SLC to/from Park City and the Basin? I would gladly use a bus to get to my job at the university if one existed.
I think better mass transit solutions make more sense from an environmental and financial standpoint than just making room for more cars.
Karen O’Driscoll
Park City
Support for education
Editor:
On behalf of the Park City Education Foundation, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to members of the business community who answered our call to participate as a Community Partner of the Education Foundation.
By contributing to the Park City Education Foundation, Community Partners directly impact the quality of education students receive in Park City. We would especially like to thank Winder Farms who provided a $5,000 matching grant for our Community Partner phone-a-thon earlier this month that raised more than $10,000 in one afternoon. We also thank doctors, developers, insurance and mortgage companies and property management companies — just to name a few professional groups that helped!
The $10,000 we raised can lend a hand to teachers through small grant awards, help support the International Baccalaureate program or even add to the growing number of scholarships making college attainable for graduating seniors. Just imagine what could be funded if more of the community pitched in.
The community must come together to build on the successes our schools have already achieved. We welcome all businesses that want to become more involved in the community and our children’s education by donating to or volunteering for the Park City Education Foundation. Together, we can make a big difference in this community.
Thank you!
Abby McNulty, Executive director
Park City Education Foundation
Red, White and Snow fundraiser
Editor:
Fabulous wine, food, and weather was enjoyed by all who attended last weekend’s Red, White and Snow, March 30 and 31, hosted by The Hamlet Companies, Talisker Mountain Incorporated, Zions Bank, KeyBank, Ken Garff Jaguar and the Park City Mountain Resort.
This fantastic weekend featured some of the nation’s most acclaimed chefs and finest vintners who shared their secrets and specialties through seminars, wine tastings, vintner dinners at private homes, world-class skiing and a Grand Gala hosted at the Silver Lake Lodge. The weekend was a great success and could not have been accomplished without all those who contributed, volunteered and attended these events, including our featured skiing legends. Thank you all for your support!
This event helps raise funds to support our mission of discovering "ability for all" through affordable adaptive recreation. The National Ability Center is fortunate and honored to have found its home in a compassionate community like Park City. Thank you so much for your continued enthusiasm and support.
Warmest regards,
Meeche White, CEO
National Ability Center
Kimball hosts Latino art
Editor
To the Kimball Art Center, Executive Director Pam Crowe-Weisberg, Jessica Hunt and Susan Thomas. Thank you kindly to the Kimball Art Center for exhibiting Arte Latino: A Celebration of Latino Art in Utah. I truly appreciate your efforts in honoring the artistic contributions of Latino artists in our state. It is always a pleasure to work with the Kimball Art Center.
Warmest regards,
Lorena Riffo Jenson
President, DPR Communications
Salt Lake City
Breast cancer recurrence
Editor:
As you all have probably heard by now, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, revealed that she has had a breast cancer recurrence. Mrs. Edwards had been treated for breast cancer after a 2004 diagnosis and was believed to be in remission. The cancer recurrence in her rib bone was discovered after Mrs. Edwards cracked a rib last week. She said that the cracked rib was a good thing. The recurrence would not have been discovered so early had she not gone to the doctor for the pain in her side.
Recurrence is every cancer survivor’s greatest fear. Mrs. Edwards said, "Every time you get something suspicious you go into alarm mode."
We, at breastcancer.org, understand how scary it can be to hear news like this. So, we wanted to take the time to remind our community that a recurrence of breast cancer or metastatic disease is NOT hopeless. Many women continue to live long, productive lives with breast cancer in this stage. There are so many treatment options available now and more are always being studied. You can read more about breast cancer recurrence by visiting www.breastcancer.org/rcr_intro.html.
Keeping a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with supportive people can make all the difference in the world. Mrs. Edwards said of her family’s philosophy, "We’re always going to look for the silver lining — it’s who we are as people."
We applaud Mrs. Edwards’ decision to discuss her breast cancer recurrence publicly, and to simultaneously focus attention on the best treatment options to overcome this disease. The breastcancer.org community is inspired by her courage and determination and wishes her and her family the best during this difficult time.
Warm regards,
Marisa Weiss, M.D.
President and founder
www.breastcancer.org