Sunday, March 26, 2006

Kontinuing Kanab Knews

Now business-owners from out of town are worried about Kanab's "full quivver of children" resolution. Victor and Pat Sandonato of the New York/New Jersey Area (Connecticut, New York's other suburb) bought a western supply store in Kanab, the hottest property in town. Lee Benson, the twin brother of Federal District Court Judge Dee Benson, is the author of the Deeret News follow-up. Although I don't think too highly of Judge Benson's brother's reporting normally, I enjoyed this article.
"Eighty percent of this business is international," he says. "That's what we thrive on."
He looks outside his office window at the empty parking lot that is typical in March and hopes it isn't a preview of months to come.
"Yes, I am worried," he says. "I just bought the place, and suddenly I have controversy."

Although Victor loves the environs of Kanab, he wonders why the Mayor and the city council had to thrust their views on the public. "It reminds me of that old Christmas movie, 'Miracle on 34th Street,' " he says, "where they want to put down Santa Claus. And the people tell them, 'Maybe you don't believe in Santa Claus, but don't go there. It's not a good idea.'" So I guess gay people are like Santa Claus, both possibly make-believe? But I digress (before I go on, notice that all Lee did was drive down to this store and interview this one couple).

Victor and Pat hopes the whole thing will just blow over, since this was a astroturf uprising. "[W]e haven't heard anybody local say they're all gung-ho about what's going on. A lot of people think it's silly. We haven't had any impression at all that the town is bigoted." Those big folks up at the Sutherland Institute up in Salt Lake City really know Kanab values.

Certainly Victor and Pat will welcome in gays who have money, "We welcome all people from all walks of life." He just won't admit that he believes homosexuality to be a "life-style choice." Look, retiring to Palm Springs is a life-style choice, not whom you love.

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