SMALLVILLE'S
DUBIOUS DRIVING
DISTINCTION
Street-Racing Fatality Underlines Town's Alarming Accident Rate

By Jim Bradlee

Representatives from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) joined Smallville Mothers Against Reckless Teens (SMART) to condemn the incursion of illegal street racing into the byways of Lowell County at this week's Women's Association meeting.

"The death of teenager Jason Dante [in a street-racing accident] this week is tragic enough. But just as disturbing is the underground culture that has been laid bare," stated SMART president Lorrie Ann Martin. "We are now learning of activities that have been going on right under our noses for many months, carried out in secret locations by a very well-organized club of unsupervised teenaged miscreants."

Patrol Superintendent Selwyn Thrush warned Smallvillians that they are in danger of coming into line with the rest of the country in terms of driving-related deaths. "People look around and think

'It could never happen here,'" he commented. "But this is not such a small town anymore. You're starting to see big-city problems. Hopefully this incident and the one out by Saunder's Gorge last year are not the tip of the iceberg for Smallville."

Citing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Thrush pointed out that within the space of a year, street-racing fatalities listed by the police nationwide rose from 72 to 135. For every 1,000 people who participate in the illegal sport, 49 are injured. "And there's no accounting for the thousands of dollars in damage to public streets and private property that result," said Thrush.

"Frankly, Smallville is already infamous among Kansas law enforcement because it well exceeds the state and national average of per capita automobile accidents--and some of those incidents are pretty far-out. The last thing you need here is people purposely driving recklessly."

WITH A REBEL YELL...
By Angie Perez

Monday night's Women's Association meeting found me in a most unlikely position: defending the rebelliousness of our adolescents. I was one of few moms who spoke out against the barrage of negative statements regarding our teens. As we sat in our circle, several women vehemently argued that this generation is completely out of control. I quickly realized that somehow these concerned yet outraged adults have forgotten what it's like to be a teen. As they grapple with responsibilities and pressures of parenthood, they lose sight of what teenagers endure as they struggle to become individuals.

Each generation has its method of rebelling, however, today's teens as my 13-year-old daughter, Liz, pointed out "just have better technology to do it with." From illegal hot rod races to bizarre hairstyles, raves and strange clothing, teens throughout the ages have done everything possible to reject everything their parents stand for while attempting to establish a separate identity for themselves. Yes, they'll sneak your car away for a joy ride (and probably wreck it). Of course they'll run up the cell phone bill. And they'll most likely get caught cutting class. As one beleaguered mom said, "It's sort of a rite of passage. Although my son is driving me crazy, I guess he's trying to discover who he is...I just wish he'd figure it out soon."

Do not be alarmed by the loud, seemingly incoherent words blaring from souped-up cars driven by adolescents with multicolored hair, piercings that are painful to even look at and inscrutable tattoos covering every square inch of their bodies. Save yourself the aggravation, and don't even try to understand their clothing choices.

Lest we forget past generations drooled over cute "bad boys" too, including the quintessential rebel James Dean, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, Steve McQueen and such icons of the '80s as Billy Idol and Sean Penn. Today's rebels tend to be rappers like Eminem, P. Diddy and Nelly. Move over boys, we must not leave out the anti-establishment women, including Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Pat Benatar, Madonna and Pink. Glossy posters of these and many other celebrities adorned the bedroom walls and school lockers of countless teens throughout decades.

I reminded these frustrated parents that teen rebellion is certainly no new phenomenon. What these kids are exhibiting are surprisingly healthy normal signs of growth and development. One Smallville High student told me he couldn't communicate with his parents, "They just don't understand me. They think my friends are weird, my music is a buncha noise and my style embarrasses them."

When you're having a panic attack about your 16-year-old, stop for a moment and realize that what she is seeking is her independence. Bear in mind that this too shall pass.

Contrary to my peers' sentiments, what we are seeing around town and throughout our so-called global communities is not a disturbing trend, rather another generation coming of age and trying to make sense of the complexities of life in a constantly shifting and often turbulent world.
And lastly, after you've almost gone over the edge, sit back and take solace in the fact that most teens eventually end up with value systems similar to those of their parents. You'll sleep better knowing that someday the rebel will turn into you.

JAMISON JUDGE
MAY STEP ASIDE
By George "The Streak" Talmer

Allegations heated up this week as members of the media questioned Judge Terrance Mathis' ability to fairly preside over the Donovan Jamison/Nu-Corp energy case. Mathis, a one-time shareholder in Nu-Corp, is said to be weighing his decision to step aside and allow the case to be reassigned.
Mathis had relocated to the Metropolis Circuit Court only three weeks before he was assigned the case.

A document leaked to Metropolis's Daily Planet by an unnamed source alleges that Mathis once owned 3,000 shares of Nu-Corp energy stock. He sold out before the recent drop and made a hearty 35% profit. All the while, Jamison was at the helm of the firm.

Mathis has gained a reputation for being soft on big business, a point
not lost on Erika Johnson, a respected law professor at Metropolis University. "Whoever leaked those documents to the press wants to make sure that Donovan Jamison ends up behind bars and out of the picture altogether. Many thought it a coup that the defense had landed Mathis in the first place."

U.S. Attorney Bobby Adamson, lead council in the case against Jamison, said, "Obviously, we have some concerns about this latest development, but Judge Mathis has an exemplary record and is a well-respected member of the law community, and I am 100% confident that he will make the right decision."

The Jamison case is scheduled to go to trial two weeks from today, but if Mathis recuses himself, the trial may be postponed indefinitely.

KENT ON THE MEND

By Kathy Romita

Third-generation Smallville farmer Jonathan Kent is recovering from a heart attack he suffered last week on his farm. Kent was rushed via ambulance late Wednesday night to the Smallville Medical Center while he was in full cardiac arrest. Doctors stabilized Kent and kept him hospitalized for one week. His wife, Martha, and their son, Clark, maintained an around-the-clock vigil at his bedside during his stay. Kent was discharged from the Medical Center yesterday and is recuperating at home.

Several neighbors welcomed Kent home and then quickly left so he could rest and spend time with his family. Neighbor Marshall Crater said, "We're just tickled pink he made it through. It's kind of strange, though, because Jon told me several months ago that his doctor gave him a 'clean bill of health' and that he 'has the heart of a 20-year old.' It just goes to show you...you never know. Pretty scary stuff."

Another neighbor, Prichie English, recounted, "I was standing in the driveway when the EMTs wheeled Jonathan out of the barn last week. I think we lost him for a while, but no one's talking about it. Anyway, I'm glad he's back with us. Back at home. You know, we are all so amazed at the amount of work those two Kent men put into that farm. It's as if they do the chores of 20 guys. No wonder Jonathan got into trouble there. He needs to slow down. Get some farm help."

Due to strict medical confidentiality laws, doctors refused to comment on Kent's status or prognosis.