Govenor Mike Leavitt refused to sign a proclamation declaring "World Population Awareness Week," citing zero population growth as not being consistent with Utah values (Rolly & Wells, Oct. 21). "Not consistent with Utah values."

Hmmm, I have seen Utah values change based on social pressures in my lifetime. I remember when the civil rights movement threatened the LDS Church. There was a great deal of public discussion, some called it prayer, among the majority.

I encourage my LDS friends and neighbors to join the rest of us in discussions about the growing population problems. Fewer people means more water, smaller-sized classes in our public schools, less need for more highways and a generally higher availability of so called scarce resources. Let's give our grandchildren and their children a comfortable, peaceful place to live.

--Wayne Wilson

This Letter to the Editor was published in The Salt Lake Tribune on November 2, 2002