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Parking Wars
You have to wonder who’s working on Salt Lake City’s “downtown plan” now that motorists are facing increased parking fees in a struggling urban area. Sure, City Creek has finally risen, but not to the high expectations of planners. Theaters and restaurants are adding to the mix, but many people still fear those old parking dilemmas. Mayor Ralph Becker has installed parking-meter pay stations with smartphone capabilities, but they’re not accessible to a wheelchair user. Apparently, the Downtown Alliance likes the idea of upping parking fees to keep things “turning over.” And the city staff says, hey, Seattle did it and is seeing an increase in revenue. But Seattle has plenty of detractors, some of who see the fee structure as a “war on automobiles.” Their plan is to triple the number of cyclists. Is that what Salt Lake City’s up to?
The Good News
Maybe the journalistic community just takes itself too seriously. At least that’s what KSL-TV seems to think, as it ushers in a new era of “levity” in the news. Longtime anchor Bruce Lindsay is taking off for an LDS mission and is being replaced by two BYU types—Dave McCann and Mike Headrick, who will sit, stand and/or joke with Nadine Wimmer. This is doubtless an extension of the changing course of the church-owned media operations. The Deseret News has moved to a faith-based format, with “good news” at its heart. KSL’s Tanya Vea says the new anchor team will add flexibility and personality to the news. Recently, the top of the news was a heartwarming story about the adoption of a child with Down syndrome. Sappy news and good-natured banter—is that what’s been missing?
Finding the Unknown
Sometimes, it’s the small print that’s important. So it is in the latest study by the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic & Business Research. Titled “A Review of the Costs of Nuclear Power Generation,” the study seeks to compare costs of coal (which accounts for 81 percent of the state’s electricity), hydroelectric and wind power to nuclear. The document is carefully worded and tiptoes over any final judgments. While there are “plausible scenarios” in which nuclear is less costly than natural gas, the study does note that nuclear economics depend a great deal on unknowns. And there’s irony in the “endnotes,” which say the research was funded by Blue Castle Holdings (seeking a permit for a plant on the Green River) and PacifiCorp. And still, nuclear would be about 40 percent more expensive than natural gas or coal.
About The Author
Katharine Biele
Bio:
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.
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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