Council Corner

Teaching about the Constitution is Key to Continued Freedom, Success

By Council Member Anna Barbieri

Sept. 17, 1787: The Constitution of the United States of America was signed on this day in Philadelphia by 39 men who essentially codi ed a government that secured the rights, freedoms and sovereignty of ‘We the People’ while limiting the size and scope of federal powers. This past month on Sept. 17, recognized as Constitution Day, I was honored to attend and participate in the reading of the Constitution at American Preparatory Academy’s school in West Valley City. More than 40 students from third to 12th grades each took turns, along with invited guests, to read aloud sections of this sacred document.

I was humbled by their careful instructions and reverence shown for the Constitution and their commitment to teach each student the pillar of what guarantees our freedom from tyranny and oppression — a landmark document that makes the United States unique among all other nations.

For more than 200 years, other countries have referenced the U.S. Constitution in creating their own governments with checks and balances, free elections, and fair and just civil and criminal courts. But none of this matters unless we teach our children — our future leaders — the history and content of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

We are at a pivotal time in our nation when a frightening number of citizens believe that the Constitution is just an outdated piece of paper with no relevance to modern times. While the 21st century has certainly brought new challenges and ways of thinking, our inalienable rights as free citizens have not changed. They belong to us — given to us by God, our creator, not an elite think tank with a gavel in a grand building. “The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records; they are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself, and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power” said Thomas Je erson.

But unless these truths are protected by teaching our children and our children’s children, they will be obscured by the darkness of tyranny and ignorance. So, to American Preparatory Academy: My deepest gratitude is extended to your school and the students and teachers bound by an obligation to maintain the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Bob Knudsen (District 5), Curt Cochran (District 2), Anna Barbieri, Chair (District 3), Meredith Harker, Vice Chair (District 4) and Ernest Burgess (District 1)

Visit Carriage Square: Find Delicious Food, Sense of Community at Café Thao Mi

See what’s new at Carriage Square! We’ll be highlighting Carriage Square businesses over the next several months in advance of coming renovations to the shopping center. Be sure to stop by this fun section of Taylorsville.

If you’re looking for excellent Vietnamese food, Café Thảo Mi is the place to go. A mainstay of Carriage Square, Café Thảo Mi is known for their Vietnamese co ee, café sandwiches and street food.

Originally located in West Valley City, the business started in 2001 as a small kiosk before moving to Carriage Square in 2007.

“When I rst came here, it was only me,” said owner Thão Ly. “I made co ee that all the Vietnamese people liked, so they came out. They sit at the tables and they talk — just like how it is back home.”

The attraction of her restaurant is not only the delicious food but the environment where all feel welcome and part of a community. “A lot of the time, you don’t want to sit down for a long time and eat; you just want to meet a friend and talk,” she said. “Here, they can sit wherever they want, have a co ee, and talk for an hour.”

And Ly wouldn’t have it any other way. “I think to be able to work and manage something like this, you have to love to do it,” she said, “and I love to do this. I come in every day and I'm happy doing it.”

If you want to try the tasty co ee and sandwiches for yourself, visit the café at 1773 W. Carriage Square in Taylorsville.