Standard-Examiner Editorial Board

THUMBS DOWN: It might be year of the train, but it also appears to be year of eternally waiting for trains, and Union Pacific has no plans of changing that. The behemoth company believes that Utah taxpayers should foot the bill for the massive inconveniences and safety concerns the stopped and passing trains present. We’re not on board with that.

Residents are very upset and frustrated, according to Brigham City Mayor Tyler Vincent, and it’s understandable. Sitting behind a train for 30 minutes to an hour seems archaic in today’s world. The most concerning aspect of the train crossing problems revolves around public safety; fire and ambulance crews in Brigham City often become stuck on the east side of the tracks when they’re needed at crash emergencies on Interstate 15 to the west. The Standard-Examiner reported that the city presented results of a study detailing the magnitude of blockages, which in a recent 45-day period averaged almost 25 minutes, with a few lasting an hour or more. The railroad brass in Omaha doesn’t care. While legislation passed might be moot if federal rail regulations trump the state bill, it would be a strong message sent to the company that Utahns are serious about their concerns and want them addressed.

THUMBS DOWN: The developments of the conversion therapy bill in the Utah legislative session this year were originally hopeful and then took a turn for the useless and disappointing. According to an Associated Press report, 15 other states have passed laws, and advocates in Utah said it would help combat an alarming spike in youth suicide. Unfortunately, a compromise by less than 10 Republican lawmakers this week changed the bill to be as ineffective as Utah’s current hate crime laws that were legislated in recent years. In the spirit of “compromising” we also compromised by allowing damaging practices to continue at changing kids’ gender identity.

While it does not help or protect these youth and adults like the legislation would have, Gov. Gary Herbert did release a letter apologizing for supporting the changes, calling it “an enormous misunderstanding.” For now, Utah is still torn between cultural ideology that believes those of the LGBTQ community are sinful. We firmly disagree with this incorrect assumption and look forward to the day, which should have been today, when the state can support and recognize our LGBTQ friends and family members for the wonderful individuals that they are.

THUMBS UP: The staff at the Standard-Examiner want to wish a Happy International Women’s Day to all the local women in Northern Utah who help shape our communities and public policy, educate our youth, drive small business and compromise seats in our economy’s biggest board rooms. These women are examples to our youth of what opportunities are ahead. We believe it is important for them to see women in all different industries and careers. Utah still has some ground to gain. To our daughters and young women, your future is bright and opportunity lies before you — take it!