Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 18

RLL EDITIONS WcONESPAT, MARCH 25, 1987 Benson Published since 1946 by: Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. 120 E. Van Buren Phoenix, Ariz. 65004 The Arizona Republic Founded in 1890 PAT MURPHY Publisher WM.R.HOGAN Vice PresidentGeneral Manager CONRAD KLOH Director of Sales EUGENE PULLIAM 1889- 1975 Publisher. 1946-195 PHIL SUNKEL Editor of the Editorial Pages ALAN MOYER Managing Editor EUGENE S.

PULLIAM President BILL SHOVER Director ol Community Services Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is, There Is Liberty II Corinthians 3: 1 7 EDITORIALS PHOENIX COUNCIL Pay Attention To Duty John Nelson made time for four; Ed Korrick and Howard Adams fit three into their schedules; and Duane Pell was present for but two. The worst record belongs to Bill Parks, who failed to attend any. Should we conclude that most members of LETTERS FOR the better part of a year, Phoenix has been caught in a budget crunch. Much discussion has focused on retaining the "temporary" 0.2 percent sales tax increase on goods, or broadening the sales tax base to include professional services and thus reducing the overall rate. At the same time, the city manager is preparing a 1987-88 budget that leaves out $12 million worth of programs deemed critical to keep service levels abreast of the city's growth.

Given the spotlight at City Hall on Phoenix financial woes, logic should dictate that city fathers devote more time to finding a way out of the impasse, right? It also would seem proper that they might want to quiz each departmental chief to see where standby budgetary cuts might be targeted should revenue estimates lag further, would it not? Attention to official duties should prevail, right? That's not quite the way it's been. Since Jan. 26, there have been budget informational sessions on six afternoons, with 24 departments giving presentations. The majority were delivered to empty chairs. The City Council's absentee rate is troublesome.

Only Mayor Terry Goddard and Councilman Paul Johnson showed up for a majority of the briefings, with Goddard present for 18 and Johnson for 13. The rest of the council showed little inclination to attend. Mary Rose Wilcox attended nine; Calvin Goode and Vice Mayor the council have become complacent in their posts? Or does their poor attendance reflect a loss of interest? Parks argues that being a part-time politician forces a rationing of time. So what else is new? He knew that before running for office. He and others tried to justify their absences by saying they received written materials on the information covered in the presentations, or that they viewed the sessions as nothing more than a public forum for political grandstanding.

Those self-serving comments are unacceptable excuses for shirking their duties as duly elected council members. The City Council faces tough budgetary decisions in the weeks ahead. The sessions afforded an opportunity to learn more about programs. Opportunities were lost to question department heads on priorities and areas for cuts. Reading written material is one thing, and asking probing questions of budget policy is quite another.

Tough and informed decisions will be required in fashioning a fair and sensible city budget. In the weeks ahead, the City Council should vow to make wiser use of its time. 'Phoenix zens in the income bracket, who understand that their teen-age and young adult children are driving older, less safe cars partly because the tax and license on a new car costs around $1,000. This group also understands that a 6.7 percent sales tax is the next stop toward a 10 percent sales tax! We also understand that we must take our tax cuts when and where we find them. This year the sales tax reduction is fashionable, and we should not let the opportunity escape us.

Those of us who have long supported Mecham's reduction of this "temporary" tax will not soon forget those who oppose Mecham's tax reduction. This includes the Phoenix 40, as well as our legislators. RUSSMcCANNON Glendale What's Needed Is A Editor: I read with interest that the Phoenix 40 opposes Gov. Evan Mecham's 1-cent sales tax reduction. Although the Phoenix 40 may have sponsored some worthwhile projects, it is an organization that represents the rich special interests in our community.

Of course, the members would prefer a tax of the type that places the heaviest burden on the poor and middle-income class who have the least surplus discretionary income from which to pay more taxes. I can understand that they would not support a graduated income tax with higher rates for income above $100,000. The Phoenix 40 has recently come out of the closet, and a major effort seems to be under way to whitewash the organization. But, what we really need is a "Phoenix 4,000" made up of concerned citi- Loss Of Pride Editor: My wife and I love Arizona. We have lived in this state for approximately 10 years.

Circumstances forced us to leave Arizona in 1985, and we returned to our home in Lake Havasu City in January 1987. Though we did not always agree with Gov. Bruce Babbitt, we were proud of his leadership and the qualities that make up a "class act" We were proud to have him represent us and the beautiful state of Arizona. Unfortunately, we were not here for the last election and have no idea how we acquired our present governor. We only know that we are extremely, disappointed, and totally embarrassed that this small-minded person should represent us and the proud state of Arizona.

JIM AND SUE BARONE Lake Havasu City 'TELEVANGELAND' Trouble In Paradise? MacNEUY, (Mcago Trtbuna cm California hideaway where, in a broadcast to his faithful this week, Jim Bakker, with Tammy Faye singing in the background, said he gave up his ministry not to avoid the sex scandal, but to ward off a hostile takeover of the PTL holdings by another televangelist. Now, Jimmy Swaggart, a fire-and-brimstone TV preacherman in his own right, has admitted he instigated a church investigation into Jim Bakker's misconduct, which drew the outrage of another big-bucks televangelist, Oral Roberts, who accused Swaggart of joining in an "unholy alliance" to bring down Bakker. Whatever the next episode holds, heaven only knows. But considering what happened the other day to Roberts, one might wonder if the religious soap opera is now gaining some long-overdue, high-level attention. Roberts, you might recall, has been cloistered atop a 200-foot-tall prayer tower on his Oral' No Sympathy Editor.

Concerning the Arizona Public Service request for a 19.6 percent increase, my only sympathy is for my tenants. I have properties in three different utility districts, two of them in Maricopa County. In January, under the Salt River Project the final cost was 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour in Sun Lakes. In north Phoenix, under APS, the range was from 10.5 cents to 11.1 cents per kwh. For fear of causing a mass exodus to Yuma County, I won't tell you what our rates are here.

I suggest Ted Humes and his partners close their ears to the feeble excuses of APS and award them a 5 percent-per-year decrease until they get their rates in line. Let them tighten up their belts like the rest of us. DOUGLAS E.BEECROFT Roll I has all the necessary ingredients for a prime-time television soap: money, sex, blackmail, drug addiction, big-business dealings, vindictive personalities, contrite victims, divine intervention. A script dreamed up by a budding network screenwriter? Another spinoff from Dallas or Dynasty! No, it's a real-life melodrama being played out by a number of characters from "televangeland." In what could be a modern-day screenplay of Sinclair Lewis' 1927 novel Elmer Gantry, the sordid story of human fallibility centers on the lead players in the long-running "Jim and Tammy Show" of the PTL "Praise The Lord" network, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. First off, the Bakkers king and queen of the $172 million PTL empire, complete with its sprawling Heritage USA theme park made national headlines a few weeks ago when it was revealed that Tammy Bakker was being treated for, drug dependency.

Then, Jim Bakker, who led the PTL since the early 1970s, revealed to his followers that he had been involved in a "sexual encounter" with a church secretary that led to $115,000 in hush money being paid to keep the affair quiet. In a tearful announcement, Jim Bakker turned over his PTL pulpit to the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Next, the plot shifted to the Bakkers' Speed: Safety First Editor. Your March 19 editorial raised the possibility of an increase in the number of accident victims and Roberts University campus in Tulsa, hoping to receive the final installments of his do-or-die goal of $8 million.

Appearing live from the tower by remote broadcast on his son's TV show to acknowledge receipt of a $1.3 million donation, Roberts, who, by the way, has his own TV program Expect A Miracle, was cut off in midsentence by a microwave failure during a thunderstorm. Perhaps that says it all. HIGHWAY BILL Bringing Home The Bacon Drivers a benefit (of placing themselves in an exciting, dangerous situation) at the cost (pain, suffering and death) to a few. PHILIP CURDY Phoenix Editor: Several years ago, three trucks passed us on the highway and completely turned our Suburban around and tipped over our 25-foot travel trailer. This caused much trauma for my husband, me and eight of our children.

A witness told the highway patrolman that the trucks were traveling at least 75 mph. The wind force from the trucks' excessive 6peed caused the accident, although according to insurance policy it was considered a one-car accident and our fault Since that time I have been very observant of truckers on the highways. Never once have I seen a truck driving within the posted speed limit of 55 mph. The truckers with their elaborate radar devices and CB warning systems think they are immune from the law. Now there is consideration of a bill that would allow states to raise the speed limit to 65 mph.

This means the truckers will be driving at least 10 miles over the proposed new limit. Are we going to stand for more carnage on our highways? The truckers have been responsible for some heavy-duty accidents, and will continue to create more. Let's not give them any more leeway. ANNEMARIE PIERI Glendale fatalities on Arizona roads. You justified the recent congressional action with two opinions: that people drive above 55 mph now and an increase in fatalities could not be expected by raising the speed limit to 65 mph; and that the Constitution delegates authority to states and local government to set speed limits.

Concern should first be given to safety. A limit of 55 mph is safer than a limit of 65 mph for two reasons: (1) drivers have longer reaction times, and (2) less force (or kinetic energy) is present at the slower speed. If the speed limit is raised, drivers will increase their speed to the point at which they risk a ticket This means that average speeds will approach 76 mph instead of the present 66. Accident rates will skyrocket and road safety will be seriously degraded. A return to a strictly enforced 55-mph limit will save lives and gasoline, and reduce expenditures on medical facilities and lost time.

The commerce clause in the Constitution gives Congress sole regulatory authority on things that affect or are used in interstate commerce. The commerce clause would then prevent state action in areas in which federal regulation has been enacted. A higher speed limit is like the lottery in reverse: Many will enjoy Music's Influence Editor: We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the recent rash of teen-age suicides. I have read with interest the various opinions related by knowledgeable "experts" in the social science fields in regard to this. However, I wonder if they have considered some of today's rock music to be a factor in the increasing popularity of suicides.

There are several of the so-called "acid" or "heavy-metal" rock groups who glorify suicide and death in their lyrics. Considering the importance of peer pressure to our teen-agers today, is it any wonder that some, of these troubled teen-agers have turned to this hideous way of solving their problems? Our society will always have problems, and, sad to say, suicide will most assuredly continue to be an alternative to solving them; but we should not subject our kids to this sick thinking via a medium that is so influential to them. MARY CLARK Phoenix ARIZONANS and others who can't wait to legally drive above the 55-mph limit on rural interstate highways better put on the brakes for the time being. For despite passage by Congress of a long-overdue and sensible amendment allowing the states to raise the speed limit, President Reagan is planning to put a roadblock in the way and with good reason. The speed-limit rider is not the obstacle Reagan supports letting the states decide it's the vehicle carrying it: the $88 billion highway funding bill that is loaded down with congressional pork.

Appropriately calling the measure a "budget buster," the president promises to veto the appropriation. Ai issue are more than 150 soealled "demonstration projects" included in the bill that aptly demonstrate Congress ability to bring home the bacon, no matter the cost Consider these oinkers: There's funding set aside for a $2.1 billion Boston road-tunnel project, a going-away present for retired House Speaker "Tip" O'Neill. The Chicago congressional delegation earmarked $10 million to build parking lots and garages in the Windy City. Georgia's delegation wants to spend $90 million to replace a bridge in Savannah that is Funds are allocated for improving access to a parking lot at Georgetown University, a private institution in Washington, D.C. Almost $75.

million is planned for 27 "intermodal transportation" projects at the Port of Los Angeles. Of the $18 billion allocated for mass-transit assistance, more than half will come from as-yet-undetermined general revenue sources instead of the Highway Trust Fund. All in all, the total cost of the political payoffs in the highway bill amount to a whopping $9 billion more than what the president said he would approve. Almost all of the demonstration projects have little or nothing to do with completion of the interstate system, and have been given low priority by state and federal highway officials. The much-needed highway-aid bill, funded by gasoline taxes paid by all American drivers, already is six months overdue because of congressional squabbling last session over the speed-limit issue.

Reagan's veto, which is expected to be overridden, no doubt will further delay the important measure. But, in the process, the president will at least demonstrate proper fiscal responsibility something Congress has shown time and time again it is unwilling to even attempt. New Building Is A Blight On Area with Edmond O'Brien? Editor: Letters Policy Because of the heavy volume of Letters to the Editor, not all can be published. Those selected for publication are subject to editing. Please include your name and address on your letter.

All letters to the editor are deemed property of the newspaper for all purposes. Buildings surrounded by paving with virtually no exterior landscaping are a blight, and hardly an asset to either the neighborhood or the city. CARYL PETTIT Phoenix I In reference to' Ann Patterson's article (March 15) on the hew Camelpoint Building at 44th Street and Camelback, I am one of those lucky neighbors that it serves. I have renamed it "Cellblock 44" remember those old prison movies 1 i only 33 years old and structurally sound..