Reclaimed Art
What goes around comes around, and that’s never more true than with the Spiral Jetty. The earthen artwork by Robert Smithson is rising again from the waters of the Great Salt Lake, just in time for a new partnership that promises to preserve and protect it. Last year brought confusion and angst over the jetty when the Department of Natural Resources attempted to take control, saying the jetty’s foundation was delinquent on its lease. It seemed like an opportunity for oil drillers to develop the area and despoil the artwork. The foundation, Dia, has now partnered with Westminster College through its Great Salt Lake Institute and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Main Library. It’s all good, unless you consider the lease cost rising from $250 to $1,000 a year.
Questions Warranted
Even amid tragedy, questions need to be asked. Let’s talk training and the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force. Did training fail the six Ogden police officers who encountered an armed man intent on, according to a friend, “going down in a blaze”? And do you put yourself in jeopardy, even trying to aid wounded officers? The press has been questionable, as well. Shooter Matthew David Stewart is portrayed as a crazed military guy, although he’s been out of the service since 1998 and was never in combat. From the photos, you’d think he was wearing his military camouflage on Jan. 4 as he waited inside his house to gun down the officers executing a “knock and enter” warrant.
Food Fight
What is it about the federal government that causes Utah legislators such heartburn? Oh, Barack Obama, we guess. In 2011, he signed the Food Safety Modernization Act, which is supposed to reform food-safety laws. The latest folly involves Sen. Casey Anderson of Cedar City, who wants to make it illegal to enforce federal regulations of agriculture products. Sure, people are tired of jumping through bureaucratic hoops, but who wouldn’t want to know that food is safe to consume? A couple of minor points: The bill would probably be unconstitutional and hypocritical coming from people who want the state to help the feds enforce immigration laws. Anderson is new to the legislative game and has already made a name for himself. We can’t repeat it here, but not even the conservative Utah Farm Bureau is applauding his bill.
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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