Written by Marianne Mansfield
The perfect storm of two news items recently swept across my psyche. It was as though the column muses had taken my shirt by the collar and said, “Write this. Now!”
In case you missed it, Utah topped a list recently. The list spelled out the worst states for women, based on recently released data from the Census Bureau. The results were published in an article on Oct. 19, 2014 in USA Today. Four factors were considered in the analysis. They were gender wage gap, poverty rate, percent in state legislature, and infant mortality rate. The scores of those indicators, taken together, landed Utah first on the list. Numero Uno. The fact that the state in which I’ve chosen to live made the tip top makes my heart go pitty-pat, but for all of the wrong reasons.
And, in case you missed this, last Friday evening, the St. George Police shut down the dance party segment of a Halloween party at the Fiesta Fun Center sponsored by the Heart of Dixie event group. The police claimed that the event was not correctly permitted for dancing. Yes, you read that right. In St. George, well into the 21st century, a special permit is required if people are to be allowed to dance in public. Because…dancing is what? Fun, good exercise, a way to release pent-up energy?
This is where we live, folks.
Since my husband and I took up residence in St. George four years ago, I’ve been writing opinion pieces for various news outlets.
For example, 50 percent of the approximately 20,000 registered voters in State House District 74, in which I live, are like me, and have moved to St. George within the last 15 years. That means about 10,000 voters are relatively new to the area. Now, let’s suppose that 25 percent of that number is of the more liberal bent in their beliefs than the majority of voters in this county. That would be around 2,500 voters. Now, let’s imagine the financial impact on District 74, the city of St. George and Washington County, if even a fraction of that number decided to heed the call of the naysayers and move to a place in which their political ideology was not so spurned. With them go their property tax payments, their sales tax payments, and their contributions to the local economy (food, entertainment, medical care, goods, and other services). With their departure, their empty homes would flood the market, driving the average home price downward. Not, I would suggest, a pretty picture.
But most of us stay, despite the difficulties and the opposition.
Why? Because it is more than a little lucky that people who challenge the status quo are willing to stay in a state so oppressive to working women, and a city so outdated in its thinking that it sends the police to stomp out a dance party.
We stay because we, like most who live here, enjoy the natural beauty. It is so cliché to say that, but it is true. We also stay, however, because we believe there is potential here. We stay because we believe that working together, we can make a difference.
More so today than even a few years ago, I find myself increasingly in the company of like-minded people. It feels good, safe, and welcoming. These are the folks who embrace the fact that change is inevitable, and resistance is impractical. Regularly, I encounter people at many points on the political spectrum who understand the power of putting aside differences and working for the betterment of our fellow citizens.
Because our area is an area of growth, change is part of the process. It is how we address and manage the change that will determine our future.
This is where we live, folks.
It is time we get past hissing and moaning at each other. It is time we move forward.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, voters have a chance to make their voices heard in managing the changes we face. Remember the USA Today story? Utah’s state legislature is only 16.3 percent female, which ranks as the 13th lowest in the country. Voters in District 74 have the opportunity to send one more woman to the state legislature if they vote for Dorothy Engelman. Engelman is a reasonable and rational voice for women, for teachers, and for families. In my mind, it doesn’t get much better than that.
If the rapidity of change concerns you, look to Paul Van Dam, candidate for county commissioner. Van Dam is a strong and vocal advocate for Vision Dixie, a blueprint for sustainable growth.
Change begins with those who are committed to reasoned action. Please act on Tuesday, Nov. 4, but don’t stop there. The women of Utah deserve so much better, as do the kids who want to kick up their heels on a Friday night.
Where did I put my dancing shoes???
