YES on 3, NO on 1

Everyone is, of course, in favor of clean air and clean water. The fancy commercials present a lovely image of purity and peace, but initiative ONE is not about water - it's about pork. This is a huge spending bill - $195,000,000 including interest, NOT a mere $14 per family. Not generally mentioned is the fact that of the $150 million bond (borrowed money), $25 million will go to convention centers and local buildings - surely, that's not open space. An additional $5million will be spent on museums - how does a museum protect the air? Read the fine print, it's in your Voter Information Pamphlet.

This well-financed "public" initiative was not an instrument of the people, rather special interests with an agenda. If residents of Wasatch County (or any rural county) think they'll get their "fair" share, I would say we're dreaming. The money will be dispensed by the so-called "Quality" Growth Commission.

Remember that the Quality Growth Commission is basically an arm of Envision Utah, prominient promoter of high-density homes on public transportation. They also support state and regional planning through "free" services, while giving lipservice to local control.

For those with short memories, see http://snipurl.com/envUT for Envsion Utah's original, completely biased, 1999 survey which received 15,000 responses from a 500,000 distribution base and launched their movement complete with expenditure of millions of Utah taxpayers dollars. Do not be fooled that these funds will go for "clean air and clean water," it will go to large developers who fiddle to the "smart growth" tune (with, possibly, a few local grants to placate us peons).

Now Amendment THREE, on the other hand, is deserving of support. It will NOT take away anyone rights, nor does it go too far. It will help Utah and Utahns to stand in the forefront in defense of traditional marriage.

Vote YES on Amendment 3 and NO on Initiative 1.