Up to Code
It always helps to research your issue. That's what Salt Lake City Councilman Kyle LaMalfa found out after persuading the council to pass a temporary ordinance blocking the opening of the INN Between, a much-anticipated homeless hospice. Acting with bureaucratic aplomb, the council feared that these dying people weren't dying fast enough, and the facility was acting as a homeless shelter rather than a skilled-nursing facility. And, gee, they wanted it to comply with ADA requirements because, well, the dying weren't on the streets anymore, where nobody cares about ADA. Cooler heads prevailed when an architect explained the International Building Code, and a director at the Utah Department of Health, Joel Hoffman, explained licensing requirements for in-home hospice care. Meanwhile, Fire Engineering Co. is donating a sprinkler system, and the INN is on the road to opening. LaMalfa seemed satisfied, according to hospicedirector Kim Correa.
Justice Ain't Cheap
Well, justice for Geist will have to wait—at least until the dog's owner finds enough money, starts a GoFundMe campaign or gets the Legislature to change the law. Sean Kendall would have to post a bond to cover attorney fees and court costs as he files an intent to sue both a police officer and Salt Lake City for shooting his dog in his yard. This infuriates his lawyer, former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who has pitted himself against mayoral candidate Jackie Biskupski (she helped renew the law in 2008). Biskupski sees it as a simple renewal; Anderson says it removes discretion from the court. But politics aside, Kendall will have to come up with some cash, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. He turned down a $10,000 settlement, and now sees how expensive it is to defend principle.
Rough Rulings
We are so danged sorry that our governor is "disappointed" with all the latest Supreme Court rulings. Being a lawyer—oh, he's not—he says, "It appears the plain meaning of the text of the law no longer matters to the court. I have said from the beginning, the Affordable Care Act is flawed." And of course, he wants to "repeal and replace" the law with Republican policies that frankly don't exist. Then, on same-sex marriage: "I am disappointed with the decision by the court to usurp state authority and overrule the voice of the people of Utah as demonstrated by legislation with regard to marriage. I am also very concerned with the overwhelming trend to diminish state autonomy." Well, then. With the effort to take over federal lands, it looks like Utah's government is disappointed the state can't secede.
About The Author
Katharine Biele
A City Weekly contributor since 1992, Katharine Biele is the informed voice behind our Hits & Misses column. When not writing, you can catch her working to empower voters and defend democracy alongside the League of Women Voters.
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