Books & Business
There goes another small, independent bookseller. Maybe we should rephrase that: There goes another small, independent business, and here come the big developers. First noted in City Weekly, Ken Sanders is facing a move after 17 years of renting his space on 200 East and 300 South. Sam Weller's Books has already made the move from downtown to Trolley Square, changing its name, size and, ostensibly, some of its loyal clientele. This is a specialty market—old and rare books—that Weller and Sanders have managed to sustain. The hope is for a new home for Sanders. Meanwhile, the vision of Ivory Homes developing downtown is terrifying. This is not to diss Ivory Homes, but since the development death star hit Sugar House, the little guys in the area have been supplanted by shiny chains.
Back Seat Driver
Not to sound like a Tea Partier, but at what point does Salt Lake City stop its fee-for-lack-of-service model and begin helping its citizenry? While Utah has joined the nationwide phenomenon of smartphone-based rideshare, it has also joined the national hysteria that comes with new and unexpected competition. The city has begun fining Uber and Lyft drivers up to $6,500 because David Everett, Mayor Ralph Becker's chief of staff, says, according to The Salt Lake Tribune, "We want to make sure that people are insured and they have a vehicle that meets our safety standards." Good one, Everett. As QSalt Lake publisher Michael Aaron Green says, "Salt Lake City Corp. should embrace this new service." But they won't until they figure out how to tax it.
In Their Shoes
It was real nice for Rep. Jason Chaffetz to host a Democrat like Maryland's Elijah Cummings. After seeing Baltimore, Chaffetz got to show off the red-rock wonders and pristine vistas of Utah—but not without political hype. It was really about showing the Dems that Utah needs to control its federal lands, and boo-hoo, the danged presidents can come in and just designate our red-rock wonders as national monuments. While Chaffetz rides into Utah's fracking future, we hope that cooler heads prevail—even those surrounding Rep. Rob Bishop, who is seeking a resolution. At least Chaffetz didn't invite Cliven Bundy.
