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4/7/08-20

2008-04-07T07:39:00.001-07:00

Saturday, 08 March 2008
3 bills passed by Senate after time was up Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

The status of three bills passed by the state Senate is up in the air, after a time stamp revealed a problem.
The stamp of approval might have to be taken off Senate Bill 93, Licensed Direct Entry Midwife Amendments; Senate Bill 237, Commercial Airline and Airport Taxation Amendments; and Senate Bill 41, International Education Initiative - Critical Languages Program.

The issue will be taken up with the technical staff at the Capitol building. There will be an announcement Monday about whether the bills will stand as approved, or die because they weren't passed in time. The state Constitution says the Legislature must adjourn at 12 a.m. on the 45th day of the session, which was Wednesday.

According to the Legislature's Web site, the last vote on SB 237 was 1 minute and 18 seconds after midnight; SB 41 was passed at 12:03:05 a.m.; and SB 93 was passed 14 seconds after midnight.

The bills are being held subject to a time discrepancy between two clocks, said Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo. The problem occurred due to efforts to coordinate the new systems in the renovated Capitol building.

During the last few minutes of the session, Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, repeatedly asked his reading clerk for the time on her computer. Once she said midnight, Valentine stopped all voting. That clock may have been wrong.

"It's not clear if the time stamping on the bills was done before midnight," Bramble said. "The last three or four bills might not have actually been done legally."

All legal actions are recorded on the state's legislative Web site, and problems started coming up when the vote record and bill status didn't show that the bill had actually been voted on and passed, Bramble said.
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4/7/08-19

2008-04-07T07:38:00.003-07:00

Legislators breathe easy at last Eggs and Issues Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

"It's over!" said Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, at the Eggs and Issues meeting about the 2008 legislative session.
Finally, the legislative members were able to give their breakfasts some attention as they were not asked to speak at the last Eggs and Issues forum of the legislative season on Saturday morning. The forum was sponsored by Intermountain Healthcare.

Most of the high points relative to the session, said Valentine, were actually relative to Utah County.

Utah County received funding for several projects, such as the Thanksgiving Point museum, the Freedom Festival, the Provo airport radar system and especially the reconstruction of Interstate 15.

The reconstruction will stretch approximately 20 miles and consume $2.6 billion, about half of the state bonding capacity.

"Many House members were worried about the magnitude of the project. There was an enormous amount of work to be done," said Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland.

Dougall said that he and others "worked and worked and worked" to sway the votes to fund the project.

"At two o'clock in the afternoon, we wouldn't have had the votes to pass it," Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo said.

The bill did pass however, and Utah County can now look forward to bigger and better roads.

Utah teachers also will be looking forward to a paycheck expansion, as public education received more than 57 percent of the budget's new money, Bramble said. This will include a $1,700 pay raise for teachers.

The Provo airport radar project received $1 million from state funds, and planners also were given permission to use taxes collected from travelers and tourists, said Mayor Lewis Billings.

Billings said that although the total cost of the radar will be about $2 million, with the current funds added to the legislative gift of $1 million the city is only about $200,000 to $250,000 away from reaching its goal.

Congressional hopefuls eagerly took their turn at the podium as they gave the current legislators a break. Candidates included Republicans Joe Ferguson, Jason Chaffetz, David Leavitt and current U.S. Congressman Chris Cannon.
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4/7/08-18

2008-04-07T07:38:00.001-07:00

For those wondering about the time discrepancy of the last bills passed on Wednesday night, don't fret.

Rick Cantrell, the Chief Deputy, said that the problem had occurred because the system's internal clock was approximately three minutes and nine seconds faster than the clerk's official clock.

The bills in question are registered as laws now, said Majority Leader Sen. Curtis Bramble R-Provo.
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4/7/08-17

2008-04-07T07:37:00.004-07:00

Energy

Legislators decided that requiring mandates was not best for Utah's renewable energy development.

"Twenty-five by 25 is a nice jingle, but there is no rational that says it's where we should be," said Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo. "Why should we limit companies to only 25 percent if they could get more? Or if they could only get 15 percent, they shouldn't be forced to be at 25 if there's no economic, scientific or technological basis to be there."

Although there is no required amount of renewable development, the state has set a target of getting 20-percent of its energy from a renewable source by the year 2025. Power companies will be required to report to the Legislature every five years concerning their progress in developments.

Bramble said that by setting targets instead of mandates, the market will open up and renewable developers will have a chance to be competitive in producing energy.

The bill was created as a compromise of environmental groups and power providers from across the state.

Bramble said that although all groups didn't particularly support the bill, none specifically opposed it.

"I told them they could either sit at the table and help us get a bill that everyone could live with, or they wouldn't get anything," Bramble said.

Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, was the co-sponsor of the bill. Bramble said that by having both the majority leader and minority leader sponsoring the bill, everyone could see just how important it was.

Although Bramble wasn't aware of any particular renewable energy developer in Utah County, the bill does provide tax exemptions of materials that could be used in construction for developments.

Utah will focus primarily on the development of wind, geothermal and solar energies, to use the existing resources of the state.

The city of Orem provides power produced by Rocky Mountain Power, and the city of Provo gets power from other contractors.

4/7/08-16

2008-04-07T07:37:00.003-07:00

Alcohol

Removing malt flavored beverages, known as "alcopops" from convenience stores was not just an attempt to stop underage drinking, said Sen. Curtis Bramble R-Provo.

Distilled spirits, by state law, must be sold in liquor stores. Only beer can be sold in convenience and grocery stores, but these fruity drinks were classified as malt flavored beverages, and were sold alongside beer.

Some legislators were concerned that by removing the alcopops from privately owned businesses the state would be adding revenue to their own pockets instead of the citizens. The Smiths supermarket stores throughout the state combined might lose up to one million dollars in revenue said Tom Guinney, who owns and operates private clubs and restaurants in Utah. Albertsons stores could lose around $800,000.

"They'd probably lose more if they stopped selling radishes and green onions," Guinney said.

Moving the drinks to state liquor stores will keep the number of drinks consumed down just based on the sheer fact that there have been several hundreds of convenience stores, and a far more limited number of state liquor stores, Bramble said.

"Just by pure numbers, we are reducing the availability of these products to get into the hands of teens, even if the drinks are still bought by their parents," Bramble said.

The alcopops have been proven to be targeted at teens and young women primarily, Guinney said.

Governor Jon Huntsman only agreed to support the alcopop bill when the issue of poured drinks and sidecars were addressed.

The second part of the bill addresses the amount of alcohol that could be served as a part of a mixed drink. With the passage of this legislation, the amount has been taken down from a possible three and three-fourths ounce to a standard two and one-half ounce.

"Now it will be consistent to what bartenders are used to across the country," Bramble said.

4/7/08-15

2008-04-07T07:37:00.001-07:00

Immigration

For a month and a half, Utahns pleaded with, demanded of and even threatened lawmakers to finally do something about illegal immigration.

Sweeping reform was passed, but in the last minutes of the 2008 legislative session a key piece of the puzzle was left out over "a game of chicken" between the House and Senate, and now leaders of both are scrambling to fix it after the fact.

An immigration task force proposed by Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, died after the House took offense at a move in the Senate to get some money for a separate education task force. Instead of fixing the problem, they let task forces for immigration and education die on the board.

"I guess we got caught up in a game of chicken," Jenkins said.

The immigration task force was supposed to bridge the next 18 months when Senate Bill 81 goes into effect, toughening up enforcement, employment requirements, ID theft, liquor licenses and more. That bill was delayed explicitly to await the task force results.

States like Oklahoma and Arizona have faced unforeseen economic impacts and lawsuits after passing strict laws against illegal immigration.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said on Friday that he's working with Speaker of the House Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, to move some money into additional interim committees. That doesn't make Jenkins any happier.

"If they can just do it, then why didn't they just let it pass?" he said. "Now that it's turned into a political football I'm not sure I care."

4/7/08-14

2008-04-07T07:36:00.003-07:00

To reopen, Frazier Park must comply Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

The Provo Canyon Coalition presented a petition to the Utah County Commission Tuesday morning asking officials to ensure complete compliance with codes before reopening Frazier Park.
The trailer park, located in Provo Canyon, caught fire in December and has been hidden by the snow since. Power had to be shut off to the park during the fire because power lines ran through its restroom, which was burned in the fire. The county then shut the park down until the owners could come up with a plan to reconstruct the building so that power could be turned back on.

But that has not stopped residents from trying to get back into the park, said Provo Canyon Coalition member David Studdert.

"The living conditions they've been living is like a Third World country," Studdert said.

Studdert's petition asks that the owners of the park be required comply with all zoning, health and safety requirements.

"We're just looking for the county to enforce its laws," Studdert said. "Right now, we're very concerned about the water quality, the electric situations, the fire hazards and the pollution to the Provo River it's causing."

The park's co-owner, Leon Frazier, said the park might not open until summer of 2009 or later.

"We just got into the wrong business, but we're closed now. No one is living in there. There are 'No Trespassing' signs all over the place," Leon said.

The trailers that burned were owned by Frazier and his brother, Kevin and were rented out to "trailer trash" tenants, said Leon. He said they were "bad tenants" and a "low-class type of crowd" who were constantly involved in partying and drug use, and some were in and out of jail. There were approximately 13 groups living throughout the park, and he had a hard time collecting rent from them, he said.

Adding to the current mess, Leon said, are the trailers that the brothers have started tearing out.

Leon couldn't estimate a cleanup cost, but will be doing the cleanup himself with the help of friends and his brother. The park had 24 trailers on the property when it caught fire. Leon said that there were some makeshift and illegal cabanas and he was struggling to keep tenants out of the park.

Leon claims that the county was unfair during the whole existence of the park, including problems when they were opening.

"They broke me," Leon said.
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4/7/08-13

2008-04-07T07:36:00.001-07:00

Residents more concerned about stadium speaker noise than move of cell phone tower at OHS -- Because of Alpine School District's planned reconstruction of Orem High School, it's been proposed to relocate the cellular phone tower currently on campus to double as a light pole over the football stadium.

Yet residents at the Orem City Council meeting were more concerned about noise from the stadium's speakers than the prospect that the relocated T-Mobile cell phone tower might be closer to some homes.

The speakers, which project sound to the neighboring homes' direction will be moved to the west side of the field. The new cell tower monopole will be painted blue to match the other stadium lights.

To combine the two would be similar to an arrangement at Mountain View High School where a Cingular cell tower stands.

Orem City Council member Dean Dickerson lives in the subdivision bordering the stadium and said that during every game, the sound is blasted across backyards and homes.

"On a very clear night, the sound will even bounce off the mountain and come back again," he said.

The Council voted in favor of the cell phone tower/stadium light pole proposal.

4/7/08-12

2008-04-07T07:35:00.002-07:00

Council looks at proposed changes in Orem parking-enforcement codes -- A Provo-based towing company tried to change Orem parking-enforcement codes Tuesday night.

Michael Lamont, owner of University Parking Enforcement, presented a list of changes to the Orem City Council in efforts to regulate Orem's code with surrounding cities. He hoped to change code to require companies to contact dispatch within one hour of towing in order to eliminate confrontations with cars' owners, he said. When the owners "catch them in the act" of towing their cars, Lamont said it becomes a "safety issue" for him and his employees.

Orem code currently requires towed vehicles to be stored within Orem city limits, charges a gate fee unless the car is recovered within normal business hours, and requires the towing companies to notify dispatch of car removal before towing it and to provide a name and number on public signs in parking areas.

Another safety issue comes from Orem requiring an in-city impound he said. Many companies located in Provo and other nearby cities build secondary lots just to comply with the code. However, they are unlit, unmanned and often unsafe he said. These lots include one of his own.

"If this was meant as a convenience, it's not," Lamont said. "Many of the secondary lots are located west of the freeway, and there are really no clear boundaries of Orem and Provo anyway. Most people, like me, see it as the same place."

Paul Johnson, Orem city attorney, said the current parking-enforcement code was carefully crafted and debated and a new draft will be presented in May.

Council members were not eager to pick apart the code to cater to single business's wants and voted to keep the code unchanged for now.

4/7/08-11

2008-04-07T07:35:00.001-07:00

Council looks at parking for proposed Cherry Hill apartments Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

A high-density apartment development proposed Tuesday at the Orem City Council meeting brought on mixed emotions for residents of the Cherry Hill neighborhood.
The proposed Siena Villas complex would consist of one- and two-bedroom units for approximately $1,000 per month. To be located between State and Columbia streets, it would improve roads and traffic flow in the area, according to city staff agenda item documents.

However, residents expressed concerns about increases in traffic and parking problems the development would bring with it.

Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn said the issue before the Council is not to debate if something will be built there, but what will be built there. The best use of the property would be to have something that had the least amount of impact on the surrounding and existing communities, he said.

Developer Cameron Gunter said property could become retail space to maximize investor profits if the Siena Villas apartments are not approved by the city. Retail development would result in even higher levels of traffic than residential units would, he said.

Since State Street is owned by the state, direct access to the complex has been denied and residents would have to use Columbia for access to the development. This has residents concerned, but the Orem City Council was concerned about parking instead.

Orem city code requires at least 2.25 parking spaces per unit. There are 125 units proposed, and only 164 stalls available in the facility's parking lot. Developers hope to use the surrounding roads and a possible agreement with a nearby dentist office, which could provide 24 more parking slots after 5:30 p.m. The code however, requires parking to be provided for all hours of the day.

"We don't build a chapel for Easter Sunday," said Councilwoman Shiree Thurston. "No one likes to build a lot of asphalt, we understand. But it's still a concern."

The committee agreed to give the production approval if they could find a way to provide adequate parking for the future tenants.

4/7/08-10

2008-04-07T07:34:00.004-07:00

Northgate residents fight car lot proposal Print E-mail
Rette Speight - FOR THE DAILY HERALD

The developing Northgate Village is having a hard time drawing in retail and restaurants, but current residents refuse to settle for a car lot.
"The fact is, something else was committed to us when we bought a condo. We bought according to that plan, and we certainly did not expect a car lot," said Tuscan Villas resident Ty Rasmussen to the Orem City Council on Tuesday night. Rasmussen is one of several upset Tuscan Villas residents, a condo development on the southeast corner of the village.

Northgate developers presented a rearranged plan to the council to build a car dealership on the corner of 1200 West and 800 North. The current code allows motor dealerships only to be "built facing and along" 1200 West. Developers Paul Washburn and Bill Fairbanks went to the council to find out if their plans would still meet the requirement if the greater side of the dealership was along 800 North.

The City Council decided that due to legal concerns a decision about which street the dealership faces and borders could not be made at that meeting. The council will address the issue again in its March 18 meeting.

When the Northgate Village was planned, the developers lured condominium residents in with the promise of a "village-like community," said City Councilwoman Margaret Black. By moving there, developers aimed for residents to be able to live, work and shop -- all within walking distance.

Residents weren't just upset at the location of the proposed car dealership, but also the idea of it.

"Many of us there are professionals, and we looked at other places and specifically bought in Northgate according to the community it promised," said resident Kari Wood. "A car dealership is both visual and auditory pollution."

Resident Al Spencer urged the council to stick with what was promised to the residents, which wasn't a car dealership.

"What am I going to do, walk down to the Hyundai dealership and buy a car? Even rich people don't buy cars every week," said Rasmussen.

When the first plans of Northgate came to the council, it was divided into three parts, with specific retail and residential requirements. The plans originally called for a 70 percent retail ground level, which developers hoped to change according to their growing needs.

The village currently will hold the new Utah Career College, a hotel, a bank, shopping centers, a gas station and professional offices and restaurants. The problem, developer Washburn said, is that he has had to turn away potential investors because they are not retail.

"It's awfully hard to market a building to someone when you have to say 'we'd like you to move in, but you can't until someone else who sells retail moves in,' " Washburn said.

The purpose of the required retail ratio was to increase city revenue in order to keep taxes down and provide the city with additional funding. This has made Orem the "envy of every city in the valley by thinking like this," Fairbanks said.

The car dealership would produce an accumulative sales tax comparable to a mall anchor store, Fairbanks said. He sees no problem with constructing the dealership.

By including the lot's car display area as part of the retail requirement, Fairbanks and Washburn said that it would be much easier to attract other businesses that do not provide direct sales-taxable items and services. Since only the ground floor of the hotel and exact square footage of gas station's building count towards the required percent, Washburn said he would like to get credit for what they have done already.

The two argued that the dealership's effect on residents would be minimal, since all condominiums would be at least two football field-lengths away from the dealership's main building, with even more distance from the cars.

"It's a tough balancing act," Washburn said. "When you sit on a project this large, you lose a big dollar every month."
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4/7/08-9

2008-04-07T07:34:00.003-07:00

10-year-old is spelling bee champ Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

Forty-four nervous little faces looked past the bright lights and off the stage to find their parents, friends and families sitting below.
Students from third grade up to eighth grade representing Utah, Juab, Sanpete and Wasatch counties competed in the Utah Valley Spelling Bee early Saturday morning at the SCERA Theatre in Orem. The spellers had won their classroom spelling bees and then won their school spell-off, and were hoping to claim the county title.

Ten-year-old Isaac Skarstedt, standing on a box to reach the microphone, won the spelling bee with the word "terrapin" in round 15. The fifth grader from Lakeview Academy in Saratoga Springs said he's been practicing the words for 25 days, by reading them through and with lots of help from his mom.

Skarstedt will be going to Washington, D.C., to compete in the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held in May. The championship prize from there would be $20,000 cash.

From the county bee, Skarstedt won a trophy, a $100 savings bond, a dictionary and a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Second place winner McKay Johnson of Ranches Academy in Eagle Mountain and third place winner Brianna Nelson of Liberty Academy in Salem took home trophies as well as a $20 certificate to Amazon.com and subscription.

Sunshine Laier, spelling bee coordinator and circulation sales manager at the Daily Herald, said schools have been preparing for the spelling bee since October.

Chase Kimball, age 10 from Art City Elementary in Springville, said that preparing for the competition consisted of lots of reading. Kimball was eliminated in the first round, but was still excited for his progress.

Chase won his school spelling bee, which had students from third grade through sixth grade. Chase is in the fourth grade.

"I didn't think I'd win the school spelling bee, but winning against the older kids was pretty cool," Chase said.

His mom, Hillary Kimball, said she didn't even go to the all-school bee.

"He kept forgetting to take the list home, he hadn't studied it till this last week," she said. "I just told him 'good luck' and 'have fun' when he left the house."
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4/7/08-8

2008-04-07T07:34:00.001-07:00

Girls prepare for Lindon pageant Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

Hopeful girls and their mothers gathered together for an orientation tea to kick-off the popular "Little Miss Lindon" pageant and discuss preparations.
The pageant has been helping girls gain self-confidence, develop talents and serve to their community since 1986 said pageant director Joy Nelson. Since the pageant has started, Nelson said the girls have done over 450 service projects benefiting their community.

Nelson has had two girls compete in the pageant, and although does not have any relations or connections to current competitors, wanted to remain involved in the program.

Normally the competition has 25 girls participating, but this year the numbers have gone down and will only have 22 seeking the crown.

The girls will conduct a service project, an interview, show a talent, model a dress and answer a question. The winner will be named queen and four more girls will be named as her attendants.

Allison Southard has had two daughters in the pageant, and has three more who are under the age requirements.

"This is such a different pageant because it gives the girls an opportunity for service, and encourages them to just be themselves and their age," Southard said. "They come out of it feeling good whether they win or lose."

Nelson said that this year's theme will be "Miracles Happen" and is dedicated to mother and daughter Maggie and Taylor Keen. Taylor won a position as one of four queen's attendants in last year's royalty court. Since Taylor's placement, Maggie passed away from breast cancer. The group service project this year will be making 25 blankets for other patients to use in the Huntsman Cancer facility in American Fork, the same facility Maggie received treatment.

The original founder of the pageant, Colleen McMillian, also died of breast cancer in 1994. Nelson said that this service project is a unique opportunity to serve past and present women experiencing the same problems.

Taylor said that she got the idea for the project after noticing how cold her mom and other patients got in the facility.

Being in the program has helped Taylor get through her difficult times, she said. The girls have become her best friends, after going through so much in the pageant.

"You just can't help but become best friends," Taylor said.

In addition to the group project, each participant will do an individual service project. Sisters Alyssa and Rachael Crabb are participants in this year's competition. Alyssa will be making teddy bears and blankets for kids in the Juvenile Justice Service and Rachael will be providing sack lunches for the Food and Care Coalition.

4/7/08-7

2008-04-07T07:33:00.001-07:00

Thursday, 27 March 2008
Lindon gets police department and fresh start Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

Starting fresh holds unique opportunities for Lindon's new police department.
"This is my police department, and I'm going to do it right," said Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore. "Very seldom communities get to build up from scratch. This is just awesome."

"Doing it right" includes making the most of the 2,320 square feet and taking on other contributions, such as personally designing the new and shining badges.

The new facility will hold two records receptionists, one administrative assistant, one detective, two sergeants and 15 officers. Located in the bottom of the city hall building, the facility will be ready to open its doors as early as April, but is scheduled to open May 15.

The most important role of a police department said Cullimore, is the type of involvement in its community. The general type of interaction people have with their officers is negative, and the new department is striving for a connection to be a partner, and not a confrontational department with its citizens said Cullimore.

"Every time I can make a positive interaction, I'm winning the game," Cullimore said.

But for those negative interactions that can't be avoided, the new building will be just as ready as its officers. The key to the structure said architect Jay Taggart of Curtis Miner Architecture who designed the building, was efficiency.

The design of the facility had no change on the existing structure, said Taggart.

A plus for the employees will be the natural light brought into the facility said Taggart. In addition to keeping offices on the edges, even the center conference room will get natural light. By keeping the natural light, Taggart said it would be healthier for the employees.

Using new technologies and taking advantage of the small size of the community, the facility will already have a head start.

The department will lease 15 trucks and Explorers from Ford (no cars), which will be returned every two years. By leasing the vehicles, the department will not be responsible for any repairs other than basic maintenance up-keeps, as anything big will be taken care of through the warranties.

At least four police bikes will be purchased for the officers said Cullimore, but depending on the number of officers who want to be on bikes, more will be purchased.

"I really hold physical fitness in the highest importance," Cullimore said. "And these bikes are perfect. They're quiet, and can be used for all kinds of policing stuff within the community."

The new bike-patrol uniforms are top of the line, and modern.

"We could have gotten $350 bikes for the officers, but we've chosen to spend about $1,500 on them because we want the kids in our community to think we're cool. We want everyone to want to approach us," said Cullimore.

Within the facility, the two holding rooms and evidence room will have tiled floors with drains, and the ceilings and walls will be sprayed with epoxy coating for easy clean up.

Costing the new department a pretty penny, the Salt Lake based Spillman Technologies computer program will connect Lindon with the rest of the state. Spillman Technologies started their program in Logan, and now connects the country for more efficient police work.

So far, the department has spent approximately $700,000 said Cullimore. The city has budgeted $1.8 million for the 2008-2009 fiscal year to finish other costs.

"These aren't going to be people who you'll run from," said Mayor Jim Dain. "They'll be your friends."
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4/7/08-6

2008-04-07T07:32:00.002-07:00

Tuesday, 01 April 2008
Contestants brighten cancer patients' lives Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

Twenty-five colorful quilts made by the 2008 Little Miss Lindon contestants will brighten the lives, and rooms, of cancer patients being treated at the Jon Huntsman Cancer Center in American Fork.
Taylor Keene, 14, is participating in this year's Little Miss Lindon pageant as one of four queen's attendants after winning a place in the 2007 royalty party. During her reign, her mom, Maggie, died after a four-year battle with breast cancer.

While the royalty party met to decide the 2008 theme and group service project, they decided on the theme "Miracles Happen" and wanted to dedicate their service to honor Maggie. After talking to Taylor, the group decided to make quilts for other women being treated in the same facility, Jon Huntsman Cancer Center in American Fork, that Maggie attended.

"Taylor and her father said that she would have wanted to help other people the most," said Stephanie Jones, one of Maggie's close friends.

Taylor said the women in the center often get cold after chemotherapy treatments, and with the help of this year's pageant contestants, the girls were able to make 25 quilts to warm the patients at the center.

Karla Bird, whose daughter is competing in the pageant, said that it is really important to "show the girls that it's not all about glam" to compete in this pageant.

Several previous group service projects have benefited breast cancer patients since the founder of the pageant, Colleen McMillan, also died from breast cancer in 1994, said current pageant director Joy Nelson. In addition to raising money and making quilts, the girls have done other projects for the community such as making gingerbread houses to decorate the city hall, making Easter baskets for the Primary Children's Medical Center, planting trees, cleaning up Lindon's horse trail and many other projects.

The quilts were delivered on Monday, and Taylor said she was very excited to see the nurses and other patients who treated her with so much love while her mother was at the facility.

"They'd give us breakfast," Taylor said. "My mom was the patient, but they were always so nice to us, too."

When accompanying her mom to the facility for treatments, Taylor said that they'd talk about what they would do if they "got rich someday."

"She said that all she wanted was clean sheets every night," Taylor said. "I always thought that was so weird, why not a car? She said she was so happy, she didn't want anything else except clean sheets every night. So when she was really sick, my sisters and I would change her sheets for her."

After her reign as an attendant, Taylor will not be able to compete in the pageant anymore. Instead, she said she might get into acting or singing. The friendships made from the pageant, however, will always be close to her.

"These girls are freaking amazing," Taylor said. "They make even boring things so much fun, they'll always be my best friends."
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4/7/08-5

2008-04-07T07:32:00.001-07:00

Lindon partners with Orem for emergency services Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

The Lindon City Council decided Tuesday evening to use Orem's fire department and dispatch services in order to have full-time emergency services. Up until now, only part-time emergency services have been available through its agreement with Pleasant Grove.
"Orem has offered us a partnership, we're not just renters anymore," said council member Jerald Hatch. "It gives us as a city a better opportunity to prepare."

Lindon has been using Pleasant Grove's fire department for over 20 years, and although they have been very pleased with the service and response time, council members said that it really comes down to the raw taxpayer dollar.

"It's really hard to take the emotion out of this," said council member Toby Bath. "But all I really see in front of me is the dollar sign."

Even while emotions were supposed to be left out of the discussion, it was hard for the Lindon residents and the city council to ignore the fact that many Lindon residents work for the Pleasant Grove fire department and will now likely have their hours cut.

Weston Terry, a Lindon resident and a member of the Pleasant Grove fire department, said that he was raised with the opinion that "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

"We may not be the biggest fire department, but we're trained to be the best. This decision will definitely affect my job," he said.

To build a fire department for the city of Lindon would cost millions of dollars just for a dispatch center, Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore told the city council at a public hearing Thursday night. Right now, the city just doesn't have that money and must chose a city to provide a dispatch center and other fire and emergency medical services.

Councilman Bruce Carpenter reminded the attendees that even though the Pleasant Grove department has provided wonderful service, "you still have to remember that you can only get what you can afford," and choosing the more expensive option could possibly result in a tax increase for Lindon residents.

Orem will provide a full-time staff of 12, plus administration, dispatch services and loaned equipment, including a fire truck and ambulance, for $1.2 million.

Pleasant Grove's bid was higher, at $1.9 million but would have included payments on a new fire truck and ambulance, plus equipment. They would have filled 12 new full-time positions with Lindon residents but would have provided a dispatch center and administrative staff.

"The thing that matters is the people, not the provider," said Dave Lesser, a Lindon resident of Orem's Department of Public Safety. "Whoever can bring 24-hour coverage, so be it. We've needed this for a long time, and as long as we get patient care, who cares who gets it."

Orem currently has three fire stations, with one soon undergoing a remodel. The equipment and staff that would be at one station during remodeling will be shifted to a building located near the Lindon city hall, therefore providing a lower cost to Lindon.

"No one voted very loud," said Lindsey Bayless, as the council finally voted with three for Orem, and two to continue service with Pleasant Grove.
Article views: 287

4/7/08-4

2008-04-07T07:31:00.002-07:00

Thursday, 03 April 2008
Shiver me timbres! Singing pirates dock at Center Street Musical Theatre Print E-mail
HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Rette Speight

For "Pirates of Penzance" director Gavin Grooms, the play signifies more than just a successful show.
Grooms is not only the director of the play, but also plays one of the lead roles as the Pirate King. His involvement in the production doesn't stop there though.

Grooms and his wife, Sharilyn, own Center Street Musical Theatre and for the last four years have seen tremendous growth in its popularity. In addition the scheduled musical, the theater also offers a dinner option each evening at an additional cost.

"We do everything," Grooms said. "We're sometimes washing dishes after the shows, and we often serve meals before they start. We work very hard."

All of that hard work seems to be paying off for the Groomses. Gavin said that from the first quarter of last year, the company has seen more than 50-percent growth, and over the last four years has grown 10 percent annually.

This is Grooms's fourth time directing "Pirates of Penzance," which is currently playing at the theater.

The play holds sentimental value for the Groomses, as it was the first play to be performed on the stages of the Center Street Musical Theatre. The production, by Gilbert & Sullivan, was written as a tongue-in-cheek spoof of British politics. Since this is the fourth time Grooms has directed it, however, he has found better ways at adapting it to a more modern crowd.

"In a lot of ways, it goes with the politics of today as well," he said. "It all fits."

The show includes an "enormous" amount of dancing and singing, and Grooms said that including the crowd is important.

"We've worked hard at making this a good quality show, a very family-friendly show," he said. "We're developing a new generation of theatergoers here."

Working with Grooms not only as a director, but a fellow cast member as well, is a unique opportunity to get to know who is leading the play, said Shannon Eden, who plays "Mabel."

"Everyone just has way too much fun," said Eden, who has been in this play once before and has been in four plays with the company. "I'm so sad that we already have the first weekend down. Usually I'd be glad to get life back to normal, but this is just the opposite."

4/7/08-3

2008-04-07T07:31:00.001-07:00

NEWS BRIEFS

Service Award -- James Butterfield was presented with a Service Award by Mayor Michael Daniels at Pleasant Grove's City Council meeting on Tuesday. Butterfield was given the award for serving as the 2007 Board of Adjustment Chair.

"Jim has done a great job. We're grateful to him for his years of service," said Daniels.

Summer soccer camp -- Pleasant Grove Recreation Department's summer soccer camp behind Manila Park will teach soccer skills using games and exercise for boys and girls ages six to 12 years old. Registration is until camp is filled and includes a camp T-shirt and soccer ball. Children must be six years old by the first day of camp. Resident beginning fee is $35. Non-resident beginning fee is $52.50. Resident intermediate fee is $40 and non-resident intermediate fee is $60.

VIP Pets -- Something new at the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter is the VIP Pet. VIP pets are the shelter favorites and are sweet and loving dogs. To adopt a VIP pet, the cost is $200, which covers sterilization, rabies vaccination, DHPPC vaccination, adoption fee, microchip and a doggie bag. The shelter is located at 193 N. 2000 West in Lindon.

Twilight Tales -- Twilight Tales is a family story time held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. No fee or registration is required for this program. Twilight Tales lasts approximately thirty minutes, it is held downstairs in the multi-purpose room.

Youth tennis -- The Pleasant Grove Recreation Department is now accepting registration for the youth tennis program for 7-18 year old boys and girls. An instructional program with eight one-hour lessons twice a week, enrollment will be limited to 16 per class. Participants will need to bring their own racquets and provide one can of ball on the first day for use in class. Fee is $30 for residents and $45 for non-residents.

4/7/08-2

2008-04-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Contestants honor Taylor Keene's mother Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

Twenty-five colorful quilts made by the 2008 Little Miss Lindon contestants will brighten the lives, and rooms, of cancer patients being treated in the same facility as Maggie Keene.
Taylor Keene, age 14, is participating in this year's Little Miss Lindon pageant as one of four queen's attendants after winning a place in the 2007 royalty party. During her reign, her mom Maggie died after a four-year battle with breast cancer.

While the royalty party met to decide the 2008 theme and group service project, they decided on the theme "Miracles Happen" and wanted to dedicate their service to honor Maggie. After talking to Taylor, the group decided to make quilts for other women being treated in the same facility that Maggie attended.

"Taylor and her father said that she would have wanted to help other people the most," said Stephanie Jones, one of Maggie's close friends.

Taylor said that the women in the center often get cold after receiving Kemo treatments, and with the help of this year's pageant contestants, the girls were able to make 25 quilts to warm the patients at the Jon Huntsman Cancer Center in American Fork.

Karla Bird, whose daughter is competing in the pageant, said that it is really important to "show the girls that it's not all about glam" to compete in this pageant.

Several previous group service projects have benefited breast cancer patients since the founder of the pageant, Colleen McMillan, also passed away from breast cancer in 1994 said current pageant director Joy Nelson. In addition to raising money and making quilts, the girls have done other projects for the community such as making gingerbread houses to decorate the city hall, making Easter baskets for the Primary Children's Hospital, planting trees, cleaning up Lindon's horse trail and many other projects.

The quilts were to be delivered this week, and Taylor said she is very excited to be seeing the nurses and other patients who treated her with so much love while her mother was attending the facility.

"They'd give us breakfast," Taylor said. "My mom was the patient, but they were always so nice to us too."

When accompanying her mom to the facility for treatments, Taylor said that they'd talk about what they would do if they "got rich someday."

"She said that all she wanted was clean sheets every night," Taylor said. "I always thought that was so weird, why not a car? She said she was so happy, she didn't want anything else except clean sheets every night. So when she was really sick, my sisters and I would change her sheets for her."

After her reign as an attendant, Taylor will not be able to compete in the pageant anymore. Instead, she said she might get into acting or singing. The friendships made from the pageant however, will always be close to her.

"These girls are freaking amazing," Taylor said. "They make even boring things so much fun, they'll always be my best friends."

4/7/08-1

2008-04-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

Lindon to use Orem fire dept. Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

The question isn't about loyalty; it's about response time and Lindon tax dollars.
The Lindon City Council decided Tuesday evening to use Orem's fire department and dispatch in order to achieve full-time emergency services. Up until now, only part-time emergency services have been available.

"Orem has offered us a partnership, we're not just renters anymore," said council member Jerald Hatch. "It gives us as a city a better opportunity to prepare."

Lindon has been using Pleasant Grove's fire department for over 20 years, and although they have been very pleased with the service and response time, the council said that it really comes down to the raw taxpayer dollar.

"It's really hard to take the emotion out of this," said council member Toby Bath. "But all I really see in front of me is the dollar sign."

Even while emotions were supposed to be left out of the discussion, it was hard for the Lindon residents and the City Council to ignore the fact that many Lindon residents staffed on the Pleasant Grove fire department will have their hours cut, as they have been accustomed to providing service to the city for so long.

Weston Terry, a Lindon resident and a member of the Pleasant Grove fire department, said that he was raised with the opinion that "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

"We may not be the biggest fire department, but we're trained to be the best. This decision will definitely affect my job," he said.

To build a fire department for the city of Lindon would cost millions of dollars just for a dispatch center, Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore told the City Council at a public hearing Thursday night. Right now, the city just doesn't have that money and must chose a city to provide a dispatch center and other fire and emergency medical services.

Councilman Bruce Carpenter reminded those in attendance that even though the Pleasant Grove department has provided wonderful service, "You still have to remember that you can only get what you can afford," and choosing the more expensive option could possibly result in a tax raise for Lindon residents.

Orem will provide a full-time staff of 12 plus administration, dispatch services and loaned equipment including a fire truck and ambulance for $1.2 million.

Pleasant Grove's bid was higher, at $1.9 million but would include payments on a new fire truck and ambulance plus equipment. They would hire 12 new full-time Lindon residents to run the facility but would provide a dispatch center and administrative staff.

"The thing that matters is the people, not the provider," said Dave Lesser, a Lindon resident of Orem's Department of Public Safety. "Whoever can bring 24-hour coverage, so be it."

Orem currently has three fire stations, with one soon undergoing a remodel. The equipment and staff that would be at Station Two during remodeling will be shifted to a building located near the Lindon City Hall, therefore being able to provide a lower cost to Lindon since there would be benefit for Orem as well.

"No one voted very loud" said Lindsey Bayless, as the council finally voted with three for Orem, and two to continue service with Pleasant Grove.

FW: 3/3-3/9

2008-03-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Utah County receives $2M for projects Print E-mail
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said that last week at the state Legislature was a week for dealing with "pork," which is something that might be brought home to your own district.
Valentine was one of the Utah County lawmakers who participated in Saturday's weekly legislative wrap-up in Provo. The session ends at midnight on Wednesday.

Along with the Provo airport radar, Utah County also received $2 million in ongoing money to complete Utah Valley State College's transition to Utah Valley University as well as funding for the Freedom Festival, the Thanksgiving Point museum, the Utah Lake environmental study and future work for Interstate 15 in Utah County.

"Even though the amounts weren't exactly what we were looking for, we did get them funded," said Executive Appropriations Vice Chairwoman Rep. Rebecca Lockhart, R-Provo.

Valentine said that more than 50 percent of the new budget is going to public education. There has been some consternation concerning education funding, said Lockhart, who has had seen some friction among legislators and school districts while determining exact funding.

"I was not elected to represent the city of Provo's interests or the interests of a school district," she said. "I don't represent a special interest. I represent the people of my district."

While representing the people, however, the term "conflict of interest" was heavy on the legislators' minds as they reacted to previous media accusations.

Rep. Bradley Daw, R-Orem, said that Utah has a "part-time Legislature," which is a great strength.

"That means that every one of us goes out and makes a living, and brings back that experience to the Legislature. I think that makes us a better Legislature," he said.

Dealing with bills in areas of their specialty or familiarity may qualify as a conflict of interest. Daw said that it shouldn't be a conflict of interest to deal with bills in areas of personal expertise.

Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem was at the top of the list with a reported 100 percent of her bills having a conflict of interest. Fowlke, who is an attorney, is currently involved with a bill reducing "frivolous lawsuits" among homeowner's associations.

"We're making sure people still have access to courts, but we're taking away the ability for people to sue everyone up and down the line," Fowlke said.

The bill, she said, will prevent homeowner's associations from being "strongarmed" into lawsuits by out-of-state attorneys.

"This is about making money, it's not about fixing construction," she said.

RA: 2/25-3/2

2008-03-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

Tacoma, Washington has decided that for now, pursuing renewable energy from the Tacoma Narrows just isn’t cost effective. Bill Gaines, the Tacoma Public Utilities Director, said that the door isn’t closing on tidal-technology, but instead the state is going to focus on more short-term solutions to meet the state’s renewable energy mandate. The reason the Tacoma Narrows isn’t producing as much energy as a normal tidal ocean, is because the current is only fast enough to drive turbines about 20% of the time. (Amsdam) The energy created would cost about 50% more than the original estimate.
Te Electric Power Research Institute in California estimated that it would cost about $103 million to build a tidal generation system big enough to power 11,000 homes. After the Tacoma study, Scott Amsden, the tidal project manager, said that instead of continuing personal experiments they will instead observe other European and Canadian studies.

TW: Week of due date

2008-03-05T12:19:00.002-08:00

America would not be the first to pursue tidal energy productions. France has the largest generating basin in La Rance, and successfully generates 240 megawatts of power. The giant power production plant only requires two people to operate it on weekends and in the evening. (UN Atlas) It has been generating power since 1966, and currently provides Brittany, France, with about 90% of it’s electrical needs. (UNAtlas) In addition to France, EERE News reports Scotland, Europe, South Korea, and China. Closer to home, northern west cost states and New York have started trying to take advantage of such a reliable source of power. However, France is currently the only successful country to use tidal energy.

TW: Energy

2008-03-05T12:19:00.001-08:00

There are three ways that tidal energy can be harnessed. “Wave Energy” comes from the actual movement of the waves of the ocean. Most wave-energy systems are very small, and usually only generate enough power to supply a small light house or warning bouy. Tidal energy comes from the rise and fall of the tides. This is when a dam system is set into place along the coastal line and requires at least 16-feet between the high and low tides. The third way is Ocean Thermal Energy, which uses the temperature differences between ocean currents. A difference of at least 38-degrees between the warmer surface of the ocean and the cooler depths is needed. Currently, Japan and Hawaii have been experimenting with this third type of oceanic energy. (Mary Bellis “How Tidal Power Plants Work” (about.com))

FW, Article 2/26/08

2008-02-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 24 February 2008
Reps. sponsor bills funding license plates
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD
It seems there are more Utah license plates than types of vehicles to put them on.

Currently, the state of Utah has 32 different specialty license plates, 11 collegiate plates, three wildlife plates and four more going through legislation. As of last year, 72,878 specialty plates were gracing Utah's vehicles. What makes these glorified bumper stickers so appealing?
The specialty plates were originally created to raise money for certain charitable causes. The plates can cost the driver anywhere from $13 to $35. All of the plates pass through the Legislature.

In the past, the initial start-up fees were completely covered by the state. Legislators are now getting creative in their quests to sponsor more plates.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City, recently proposed a bill to the House funding cancer-screening awareness plates. The cost to get these plates on the road would be $8,200. She proposes the state government fund the initial cost to be paid back as the plates are sold.

Her proposal addressed a big concern for legislators, said Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland.

"Everybody wants to help out these worthy organizations," Dougall said, "but let the organizations do their own fundraisers. We don't need the tax commission and Legislature to be involved."

Moss's plate passed, even though many representatives spoke out about having too many plates in the state already.

Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley City, said the bill neither directed funds to charitable associations nor brought money to the department of health. Instead, the money would be used to fund an existing government agency.

"Sometimes we put a really beautiful coat on a process that isn't really good, and it does make it look better," Bigelow said about the cancer plate. "If you really want to fight cancer, fund the program. Take the people's money up front and fight it. Don't pretend to fight it."

Rep. Rebecca Lockhart, R-Provo, said she did not vote for the plate. Not because she doesn't agree with the cause, but because the state shouldn't be involved in supporting or not supporting all the causes brought before it.

"What about all the other legitimate causes that don't have a plate?" she asked.

Rep. Bradley Last, R-St. George, sponsored a bill this session to provide funds for a Zion National Park plate. Enough individuals agreed to purchase the plate, even though it had not been created, therefore ensuring the plate would be cost-efficient to the state.

Most legislators feel that no matter how good the cause, another license plate is simply that -- another license plate taking up government time and funds.

"Even though most of the plates are good ideas for good causes, they actually lose money," said Rep. Steve Sandstrom, R-Orem. "There are much better ways to get donations that don't leave taxpayers holding the bag."

Some of the license plates benefit specific charities, organizations and groups, such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America or the area universities. There is no question as to where the money is going. But what about broader issues, like the No More Homeless Pets plates or Children's Issues plates?

The Children's Issues plates actually separate the funds raised between the Guardian Ad Lien Services Account and the Children's Museum of Utah. How many donors realized they were actually giving half of the money to a museum?

Some plates don't actually bring in as much money as intended. The Boys and Girls Club only brought in $500 in the year 2007. The snowmobile plates were not purchased once in 2007.

Some of the plates have specific requirements. The Vintage Vehicle plates require the vehicle to be older than 1973.

Charlie Roberts, of the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, said that in order to have the Clean Air plates, a vehicle must have a clean-fuel certificate. For a regular vehicle without the certificate, the plate could cost upwards of $82, because those with Clean Fuel plates aren't paying the regular fuel taxes, Roberts said. There are currently 1,211 registered Clean Fuel plates, he added.

Most legislators are against the creation of more specialty plates because they require precious time and funds that could be used for other things. Dougall said that a few years ago, the average bill cost about $10,000 to process.

"They're a waste of legislative time," Dougall said. "It's just a special group's sticker on a plate."

A common idea among representatives is to create a plain white plate with an area designated for a sticker. Groups could create their own sticker and individuals could place it at their own cost, with no drain on government funds and resources.