A great big thank you goes to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, IHC, and the Daily Herald for sponsoring the 100-Day Heart Challenge which just recently ended.

The Highland City Council had an opportunity to keep residents' property taxes from increasing. Instead of taking the prudent action of reducing expenditures for non-essential services or amenities, the city council voted 3-2 to accept Utah County's certified tax rate.

California did the right thing in legalizing gay marriage. If homosexuality is wrong it is only wrong "because God said so," not because of some inherent evil in and of itself.

As of 6:01 p.m. MST, Monday, June 16, 2008, same-sex couples in California began marrying, legally, for the first time. WOO! HOO! So what does this mean for same-sex couples in Utah? Well, when we strip away all the political rhetoric and demagoguery, really not much in the short term.

In your editorial published on June 19, 2008 regarding the increase in fuel prices, you opined that I needed pressure from Utahns to support the development of oil shale. Let me be clear, I have always supported oil shale development. It is a very important element of a comprehensive energy plan that will increase domestic production and ensure America's freedom from foreign oil.

It¬ wasn't so much shocking, as surprising that at least 17 high school girls in Massachusetts allegedly made a "pregnancy pact" to become pregnant and raise their babies together in the next year. With¬ the media glamorizing¬ young, unwed, pregnant Hollywood stars, it is no wonder that these young high school girls thought a group pregnancy would be a fun endeavor.¬ 

Why do I have a hard time with elected officials getting raises? Perhaps it is because I still feel public service is not meant to be excessively paid, public service should be more donated than paid ... which could change county commissioner positions from $93,000+ a year to something more in line with Utah County mean salaries, and we are not talking angry salaries, which 8 percent raises will make them over $100,000 a year and that could make taxpayers mean!

So, our county commissioners feel the need to pay themselves 7-10 percent more per year. This makes me positively nauseous.