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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.

Analyzing a song

2008-02-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

I've chosen to analyze Dave Mathew's Band's song "Ants Marching"

The song is very effective. It starts out telling everyday things about someone, and then how his path crosses another person's doing the exact same thing. People doing things without ever getting anything done. "Nothing ever changes, the week ends, the week begins."

Then the same two people, who are married, go to visit his mom. He reverts back to childhood, "laying under the table and dreaming" (which also happens to be the title of their album) and the listener can assume that nothing has changed since then. It doesn't necesarily say specifically, but we can assume that all of his goals have been accomplished, maybe, but it's nothign different than if he had become a superhero like he had dreamed of as a child.

Then the song goes to the population in general. everybody is a "black any" marching, the cars empty out onto the sidewalk and they march. "they all do it the same, they all do it the same way." In otherwords, the world is full of everyone trying to get somewhere, and in the end, being at exactly the same place they had been in the first place. The people who want to go on a diet are still tempted by the "candyman", the business people wanting to stand out still just in a line of other black ants going to the same place.

He wakes up in the morning
Does his teeth bite to eat and hes rolling
Never changes a thing
The week ends the week begins
She thinks, we look at each other
Wondering what the other is thinking
But we never say a thing
And these crimes between us grow deeper

Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die

Goes to visit his mommy
She feeds him well his concerns he forgets them
And remembers being small
Playing under the table and dreaming

Driving along on this highway
All these cars and upon the sidewalk
People in every direction
No words exchanged, no time to exchange and when
All the little ants are marching
Red and black antennae waving
They all do it the same
They all do it the same way

Candyman tempting the thoughts of a
Sweet tooth tortured by weit loss
Program cutting the corners
Loose end, loose end cut cut
On the fence, not to offend
Cut cut cut cut

Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down you up and die
Lights down you up and die

2008-02-25T08:21:00.000-08:00

Currently there are some bills circulating through the legislature concerning renewable energy mandates in Utah energy companies. The bill with mandates failed in committee, but a bill with exactly similar wording except the whole mandate part passed. So basically if energy companies FEEL like developing renewables. This was done because advisors claimed Utah does not possess enough renewable sources to develop to get to 25% by the year 2025. Here is my question: does Utah not have sun? Or wind? I can understand the water lack, or possibly even rare geothermal pockets. Would it be better to work as a whole nation towards the 25x25 goal? Across the whole nation, I truly believe that there are enough renewables to spread around for at least the power companies. Probably not for cars and alternative fuels, but heating and lighting could be possible. I’d really like to discuss “tide power”… which harnesses the movements of the tides and converts it to energy. If this were the case, why couldn’t we use that as a part of the nationwide effort to reach some sort of a renewable goal?

FW, Article

2008-02-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

Patient transport bill passes
DAILY HERALD
Rette Speight

Efforts to make the health care market more competitive are now including interfacility ambulance transport.

The bill, which passed a House committee on Monday, would only make interfacility patient transfers up for grabs, with emergencies still left to a contracted emergency care provider.
Gene Moffitt, owner of Gold Cross Ambulance, said that so far, there are no problems that would suggest this change is needed.

He also said this change would "dismantle the state's honored system," and the state's public services shouldn't be experimented with.

"Providers would end up squabbling over who got to cover those, who could pay more, or who had to take those who could pay less," said Moffitt. "The patients would end up paying the ultimate price."

"This is an isolated issue," said Mike Madsen, representing the St. George fire department. "What's the problem? We haven't heard or seen evidence of problems that patients haven't received appropriate ambulance care, we haven't heard complaints."

Fire department representatives testified about the bill, even though they would not be affected.

The reason for concern, however, is responsibility.

"When we went to an exclusive provider previously, we can hold people accountable for their service," Madsen said. "When there are two or three [providers], who truly is responsible?"

West Jordan Fire Chief Bradley Wardle said that the current system works, but doesn't work very well.

"Our dogs are not in this fight," he said. "It's not that we're against competition, but we've learned to work in this broken system, and we're afraid that this will undo everything we've learned how to handle."

To have single emergency-care providers for hospitals is critical, as it ensures that problems are taken care of, Wardle said.

David Gessel, of the Utah Hospitals and Health systems, said that there is a huge competitive market for hospitals, doctors and other aspects of health care, and ambulances are one of the few areas where there isn't any competition.

The bill favors large, out-of-state ambulance providers, Moffitt said. Such large providers drive local carriers out of the market, he said.

HB 494

Sponsored by: John Dougall, R-Highland

Amendments to the Utah Medical Service System Act -- This bill would create a competitive market for emergency vehicles (including ground, air, etc.) instead of each health care facility having an exclusive contract.

RA: Real world pitch

2008-02-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

For my real world pitch I went to a gym. I had gotten a Jamba juice, and I guess that with the kind I ordered they were giving away free 24-day-trial passes to 24-hour gyms. So, I was excited.
I activate the free pass, you had to go through the exact same process as signing up for a membership, except it didn't cost you anything. But they treated it just like one. They told you all the benifits, gave me a tour of the gym, pulled me out a calculator and showed me how much I could save by signing up and showed me charts about my physical health improving. They introduced me to the personal trainers and showed me scary pictures of fat people.
About the only thing that really had me almost sold, was their pitch that I could use my free pass for one of two things: 24-days free or a total sign-up fee for only $24. I love to run, and I never get the time to until it's already dark. And this winter especially the thought of running on the ice and slipping and breaking my ankle made the membership sound even better. But, then I realized how much better I love running outside and that in a month, hopefully, the weather should be warming up and the ice won't be nearly as deadly.
While the guy was showing me around the gym, I noticed how social it all seemed. It wasn't a big empty room with treadmills. There were stationary bikes facing in circles so groups of people could work out. The gym was bustling with people, and tvs were everywhere. The jacuzzi was full of beautiful people and everyone was fit and sweaty. I thought this was a great image for them... until I tried to get a treadmill myself. Then it was an all out brawl for the next available machine with the others standing in line. I realized that all the people stretching and doing crunches on the side had been there for 20 minutes and were waiting in line for a machine... regardless of what it was. I finally settled on an eliptical machine even though I had come to run. What I thought was "social" turned quickly into survival of the fittest: litterally. You had to be in good shape to beat the next person to the open machine.
So all in all, I'm glad that I settled for the free days instead of the membership. As good looking as everyone in the gym was, I'll still enjoy running outside even more.

TA Brainstorming

2008-02-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

Utah schools could possibly be getting one step closer to becoming year-round.
A bill was passed in the House of Representative’s Education Committee Friday that could potentially provide $11 million to schools for the option of continuing to teach math and science classes during the summer.
This summer program could possibly help provide the lacking number of science and math teachers by providing them with a further salary and the students by giving them an opportunity for expected smaller class sizes.
The program would provide struggling students a chance to get help and excelling students an extra opportunity to take classes, as well as a chance for all students to graduate early or just with extra credits.
The program will not be mandatory for all schools to participate in, and teachers individually will also have the choice to accept or decline the program. The teacher’s salaries will be paid by the proposed $11 million, but the individual schools will have to foot the bill for other things such as janitors.
“If we pay 100 percent of everything, of course the school will say ‘Sure!’” said Representative Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley. “If you let the school pick up some of the cost, the school will either be determined to make the program work or just choose not to participate.”
The program will be named “USTAR”, (Utah Science Technology and Research) with relationship to the USTAR program used by uiversities.
“The Governor’s office felt a relationship between the two to get individuals into university programs,” Bigelow said. “There will be no athletics, no anthropology, social studies or anything else. Just math and sciences.”
The bill will be debated in the House floor session and was passed unanimously passed the committee.

H.B. 270 Utah science Technology and Reseach Initative Centers
Sponsor: Representative Ron Bigelow R-West Valley
This bill will provide funding for summer classes to be taught in only math and science.

Week 4 FW

2008-02-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

Rette Speight
Daily Herald
Salt Lake City
Feb. 5, 2008

Legislators are looking at a bill which would continue funding for inmates receiving post-secondary education.
“My primary motivation for this bill is for society’s good,” said Rep. Jack Draxler, R-Logan. “Unless we’re prepared to pay for them, we need to support the best way to keep them functional in society and out of prison.”
Draxler emphasized that the bill does not expand existing programs or create new ones. It simply “stabilizes funding for existing programs.”
Rep. Carl Wimmer R-Herriman voiced his concerns about the bill, that he was worried it might not be fair to those working for their education.
“Our best kids in society are footing the money every year to go to college,” Wimmer said. “With this bill, if you want free education and free room and board, get yourself thrown in prison. Then you get a college education. I don’t know exactly if this is the right thing to be doing when we have good kids who have worked hard their entire college careers and have to foot the bill themselves.”
Representative Demar “Bud” Bowman R-Cedar City spoke of an individual in his county who has benefited from the program, saying “the boy was devastated” when funding was cut off just a semester shy of graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
“The boy will get out, his sentence is almost up,” said Bowman concerning the boy’s ability to pursue the degree.
Draxler added in his closing remarks that surcharges from telephone calls made by the inmates go to helping fund the program.
This bill would claim $1,500,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year from the general fund to the State Board of Regents.

H.B. 86: Funding of Inmate Postsecondary Education
Sponsor: Jack R. Draxler

This bill asks for money to continue an existing program which gives money to inmates for higher education.

TA: Presentation Ponderings...

2008-02-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

SO WHY DO WE HAVE THE SCHEDULE WE DO?
Let’s face it, it really doesn’t make sense to have a giant gap in the middle of our education year. Currently, schools operate on a 10 month system. Generally out in early June, starting again in late August.
The reason: kids used to have to work in the fields.
But obviously times have changed.

Legislators pointed out that if a business was run like the current educational system is, the business would fail.
After you graduate, you will enter the job force that will more likely than not, go continually year round. Are we really preparing our students for “real life”?

SO HOW DO WE SWITCH TO YEAR ROUND?
Still keep a 180-day schedule, just spread out differently.
The most popular type of year round scheduling is a “45-15” plan, meaning that the students will attend school for 45 days and then get 15 days (or three weeks) off.
Normal breaks including holidays and spring are still included into the calander.
Many other ways to organize the year-round schedule, which include several versions of “modified year round”. Others include 60-20 and 90-30 plans.

SINGLE VS MULTIPLE TRACK PLANS
Single track: an entire school using the same calendar and getting the same holidays off.
Multiple track: groups of students attending school at different times with different vacations. This usually occurs because it’s an excellent way for school districts to save money.

According to Melissa Kelly, of About.com,
Arguments for Year Round Education
-1. Students tend to forget a lot during the summer, and shorter vacations might increase retention rates.
-1. Schools that are not being used in the summer are inefficient.
-1. Short breaks can provide time for students to receive enrichment education.
-1. Remediation can occur when it is most needed during the school year.
-1. Students get bored during the long break of summer.
-1. It's easier to schedule vacations because not everyone wants to travel at the same time.
-1. Other countries around the world use this system.
-1. More students can be accommodated at one school through multi-tracking.

Arguments against Year Round Education
-1. Studies have been inconclusive to its academic benefits.
-1. Students are going to forget information whether they are out of school for three weeks or 10. Therefore, teachers will be performing four beginning of the year reviews instead of just one.
-1. Summer programs such as youth camps suffer.
-1. Student summer employment will be virtually impossible.
-1. Many schools are older and do not have air conditioning.
-1. Band and other extracurricular programs could be hurt because of problems scheduling out of school practices and competitions.
-1. If the entire school district does not go year round, parents could have students at different schools on different schedules.
With multi-tracking, parents could have students at the same school on different schedules.

** also spoken of highly is the possibility of teacher and student burn out.

“We have three children, and at one time a few years ago, all three were on different tracks. We did this because I wanted them to have specific teachers, and to do so, all had to be on a different schedule. I actually loved it as a parent. I got to spend time with them individually on their breaks and have one-on-one time with them. It was really neat to get to spend so much time with them. I stay at home though. If I worked, I think it would have just been absolute chaos.”

“Our family really likes it because we get so many breaks. We get to take ski trips in the winter, camping trips in the summer, visit family and friends in the spring and fall. We just get to spend time with our family all year round, instead of only during the summer or spring break or trying to cram activities into Christmas break.”

“It’s been great for our child to be on the year-round program because as a parent, it’s a lot easier to ask for work off during October to go on a vacation than trying to get the second week of June off like everybody else.”

“Our school board has been very pleased with the year-round program. It’s very important to make the most of our resources, and it’s just terrible to have the whole building sitting idle for the whole summer. Back when I went to school, there was no air-conditioning in those great big brick buildings and so it didn’t make sense. But now the buildlings are so fancy they all have ir-conditioning. And it’s also very important to us that we don’t have to re-teach our kids when they come back from summer break. There’s a big difference in re-teachings, and re-viewing.”

“Our family tried year-round for 3 years and we just didn’t like it at all. It seemed to throw everything off, and it was really hard when our kids started working. It was hard for them to find jobs to cooperate with their sporatic schedules, and especially when they were trying to save up for college.”

“As you know, sports are a big thing in our family. I drive 4 kids to various sports practices most days and it’s very good for our family to support each other in our activities. It was really hard to get the timing right with public school sports when our kids were doing year-round. Sports was just something we couldn’t give up, so we dropped year-round and went back to regular school. Then we also had the whole summer off for sports camps.”

“Year-round isn’t for everyone. Our teachers really like it, but they came here specifically for the year-round schedule. Some teachers really like just having 3 months off. I mean, who wouldn’t? We also have many families who still are involved with farming who could benefit from having their kids in the fields for the summer.”

CURRENTLY IN UTAH LEGISLATURE:
Continued Math and Science Bill: HB 270: providing further opportunities for math and science classes ONLY. Either for graduation purposes or for help. Also would provide teachers with additional income, so they don’t have to get “summer jobs”.

SB 41: Extended school year incentive
This bill creates a grant program to provide a financial incentive to school districts to adopt school schedules and calendars that result in a more efficient use of human resources and capital facilities.

Gov. Huntsman:

Can budget time for babysitter, can farm kids out to other relatives.

Our teachers enjoy it more. Some may not becase hey, a three onth vacation is pretty good.
Still pay our teachers monthly. For the most part, well, it’s a yearly salary how we work it in our budget. Have the option of getting a check monthly or per semester.

Objecctions: went against tradition. Still some agricultural areas that might benefit for having the kids out during the summer

RA: Art analysis

2008-01-31T21:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Graphics/Christmas.WStS/Christ-Centered/be.it.unto.me.jpg

This has recently become one of my favorite paintings of Christ. The picture shows a much more human side of the Savior and his relationship to his mother than usually depicted. Aside from his infancy and childhood, the only other instance highlighting their relationship for me is her kneeling at the foot of his cross.

I think the audience for this picture is anyone who has had experience with an infant. The infant Christ has his eyebrows all scrunched up, like babies do as he's chewing on his mama's shoulder. She is holding him tightly, and seems to be looking into his great future with some hesitation.

She seems to be wondering what the consequences he will have on the world. Or possibly the consequences she will have on the world through him. Or maybe she is just concerned with the consequences she will have on the Son of God. Either way, it shows Christ as dependent on her for this period of his life, and with that dependency, the great calling she had been given in raising him.

It shows her influence through his dependency and vulnerability. We have always seen him as the great and all-powerful God. She is holding him as her little baby.

This is definitly sufficient for me as I have had the experience of holding a baby like that. Even if I haven't had my own yet, holding one is enough to feel the tiny little body in your arms. I don't think this is typical of Christ, which makes it stand out so much. It's deffinitly accurate as it shows just how an infant behaves and how a mother worries for the future of her baby, regardless of who the baby will grow up to be. This picture is very effective for me, as it reaches the emotions women feel in connection to little babies, but also as my dependency on him as my savior.

FW, Article

2008-01-29T22:33:00.000-08:00

“I like taking care of the animals very much. It’s much better than being a janitor,” said a shaky, sincere, voice.
Steven Clyde is a beneficiary from a pilot program put into place to help people with disabilities find and maintain jobs. The individuals are provided job coaches and opportunities, as employers are found and encouraged to hire them.
Clyde was a part of a waiting list of individuals hoping to participate in this program. He moved up past the waiting list, and now works taking care of dogs for the Silver Paw Lodge located in Draper. Clyde has worked there since March of 2007 and takes two busses and the tracks to get there said Rhonda Jenkins, the owner of the Silver Paw Lodge.
“He’s a great, reliable employee,” said Jenkins. “He goes to great lengths to get here and is very dedicated. He has a real desire.”
Jenkins said she supports the program, and would encourage other employees to participate based on the jobs they have available that would suit the program.
“With the job coach, (employers) have the guarantee that the job will be done,” s Kris Fawson, who is a member of the legislative coalition for people with disabilities, told the committee.
Fawson, who has a son with Downs Syndrome, said that her son never did have to go on the waiting list and was never on Medicaid. He works as a teaching assistant and now has his own insurance coverage.
“But not everyone is nearly as fortunate as we have been,” Fawson said. “Many need that added support and training to make them ready for jobs.”
Since the list was formed in the 1980’s, 142 individuals with disabilities have been taken off of the original waiting list and 70 of those people are already working. Thirteen of them are entirely though the process, with little or no support from the program said Dr. David Sundwall of the Utah Department of Health.
Fawson added that this program has helped many families and given hope to many individuals by providing the individuals something to do during the day, cutting down or eliminating the need for some hospice care.
“When someone can work, it gives them hope,” said Senator John Dougall R-Highland.
The program has hopes of helping individuals “work their way out” of Medicaid, said Sundwall.
The bill posed to the committee to approve a new budget of $2.2 million, and would cover about 25% of the list said Joyce Dolcourt, of the Arc of Utah. The list currently contains 1,654 individuals.
“This funding request won’t make much of a dent in the pressure these families feel,” Dolcourt said, “but we’re always grateful for whatever the legislature provides.”
The list is compiled with the most critical individuals served first, Dolcourt said. The needs of the individuals are based on a needs assessment.

The bill was passed unanimously by the House of Representative Health and Human Services committee on Friday.

H.B. 45 Supported Employment Services to a Person with a Disability
Chief Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove R-Garland
(The bill provides additional funding to the pilot program providing support for people with disabilities for employment.)

Striking a Blow TA

2008-01-26T22:47:00.000-08:00

My eyes are tired of squinting to read the copy, but I've finally finnished.

This article is loaded with federal facts. Both national and international. The target audience is the Washington Post's audience, so gathered by the handwritten note scrawled in the bottom of the paper. Which means, people who are politically up-to-date I'm assuming. The paper addresses international facts and issues (obviously as it concerns Asia) but also brings the information to the homefront, by bringing in San Fransisco school of law.

This writer defnitly appeals to the logos of America. The logos that if we have (and assuming we appreciate) our democracy, then it's only logical for every other country to have it. And that the people, regardless of their social and economical standings, will appreciate it too. It appeals to the ethos side of things because who better to write this article? The article is summed up by stating "The writer is a lwa professor at the University of San Fransisco School of Law and director of it's Cambodia Law and Democracy Program". Obviously this guy knows his stuff. I'd trust him. I definitly couldn't argue him about it. It appeals to the pathos junkies too, as it tugs the heart strings concerning Old Glory and the God-Blessed nation we live in. We paint eagles and streets after presidents as we try our best to honor our country in which so many have fought for and the freedom we love, but so rarely acknowledge (a Rette side note).

All in all, I believe it. The writer obviously knows what he's writing about. A very good topic for him.

FW: DH Article

2008-01-24T09:03:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Dependents of veterans may get tuition waiver
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD
Even with a master's degree, the only diploma hanging on Jack Wiseman's wall is his honorary high-school diploma.

As a troubled youth, he joined the military to have the opportunity to obtain his GED. Missing an arm, he joyfully accepted an honorary high-school diploma. His occupation now invoves working with troubled youth to help them out of the same problems he encountered.
Wiseman spoke to a legislative committee Tuesday afternoon, encouraging it to approve a bill that would award veterans high-school diplomas that they never received due to their service in WWII and the Vietnam and Korean wars.

"This isn't about laws, or ethics," Wiseman said, "its simply from your heart. The real heroes were the kids who stayed in school. This is just an acknowledgement to say, 'thank you,' for those who have turned their lives around."

The committee also heard from supporters of a bill that would give college tuition waivers for dependents of military members killed while on state active duty.

"We see it as an obligation that we have as far as the schools and education," said Col. Scot Olsen of the National Guard, concerning the tuition bill. "This makes all the difference to those families and their future so they can prepare for either the spouse or the children ... and have the opportunity to look to the future with some sort of security. We see that as a debt that we owe."

The honorary high school diploma bill probably won't help veterans' careers, as most of the people who would qualify are retired or near retirement, but it will make a difference, supporters said.

Terry Schow, representing the Veterans Affairs, said the reason these veterans want their high school diplomas has nothing to do with their working career, as most were approaching the end of theirs. The real reason, he said, is that not having a diploma was a matter of pride, and a source of embarrassment.

Sarah Meier of the Utah State Board of Education added that by honoring these men and women, it shows the children and grandchildren of these veterans just how important education is.

Both bills passed the House Education Committee unanimously, and will appear on the House floor for further debate.

Bill boxes:

HB 269, Scott B. Lundell Military Survivors' Tuition Waiver Amendments

Sponsor: Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork

Bill would expand the undergraduate tuition waiver to surviving dependents of Utah resident military members killed on state active duty; clarify that the waivers are available for surviving dependents, beginning on Sept. 11, 2001; require the Department of Veterans' Affairs to certify the eligibility of surviving dependents to state institutions of higher education.

HB 118, Veterans High School Diplomas

Sponsor: Lynn N. Hemingway, D-Salt Lake City

This bill would provide for honorary high school diplomas for certain veterans.

Another billboard: RA

2008-01-23T10:08:00.001-08:00

So, because I have to drive to and from Salt Lake most days, my main channel of advertising I recieve is through billboards. I really get a kick out of them, because most of them are really dumb.

This week, I've been noticing one by Coke introducing "Coke Plus"... which I'm assuming has vitimins and minerals or something in it.

The billboard has a picture of the new silver Coke can, with a few colored little "bubbles" surrounding it. The words underneath the can say something like "Make this new year healthier" or something. Something to that effect.

The audience is spot on. They are busy, driving, probably bored and thirsty and probably are professional. (I'm assuming that because it's on the freeway to and from downtown Salt Lake) It is the new years, so evreyone who sees that has probably at least considered making a new year's resolution... and of course the most common resolution is to do something to improve your health.

So the new Coke product is perfect. The advertising is simple, and it appeals to the crowd of Coke and other soda lovers who survive on caffene and would rather drink an enhanced soda than take the time to go to the gym.

I deffinitly think this ad is effective. It appeals to the logic of the audience by saying "you already drink Coke, why not drink Coke Plus which is the same product but better for you?" and for people who don't drink Coke already, it says "You already drink pop, you need and depend on caffene, why not take your vitimins with it?" and therefore hooks another crowd of pop lovers.

Enthymeme practice

2008-01-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

*WATCO using the crockpot for dinner ON my husband's opinion of my cooking.
*Audience: wives. particularly wives who are busy, possibly with kids, a job, church callings, any other reason.
*Cooking dinner in the crockpot ________ my husband's opinion of my cooking.
: (improves)
because: a tasty hot meal appears like I've spent all day making it.

WATCO using a laptop ON my ability to report news.
Audience: reporters who have usually used note-taking and voice recording as a means of gaining quotes and other information.
*Using a laptop will GREATLY IMPROVE my ability to report
BECAUSE I appear professional and my sources and peers will respect me more.
(or: I am able to copy and paste quotes and information, therefore saving time.)

WATCO ironing my husband's clothes ON our income?
Audience: wives, wives whose husbands don't particularly care about their appearance, possibly husbands pressing their own clothes.
Ironing my husband's clothes will GREATLY INCREASE our income
BECAUSE: He will appear more professional to his boss who will promote him to a higher income.

"Get Moving!"-- RA

2008-01-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

On my way to the Salt Lake airport this week, I saw a billboard for what I had assumed to be scooters. I'd seen the billboard many times, it’s been up for a few months now. The billboard looks like this: A girl on a scooter, who looks to be in high school. She’s very hip with long, straight hair down long with a bright red thick headband. The headband isn’t doing much good, because she still has all of her bangs hanging in her face. She’s wearing a black shirt but the headband matches a bright red scooter she’s turning coolly, with experience. On the bottom right side of the ad says the name of a home building company. On the top left in bold large letters it says “Get Moving!”
I had never noticed the part about the home building company before. Since I knew this project was due, I’ve been paying more attention to ads and noticed it.
Now, I’m assuming that this ad is to potential families (probably the parents) or we can just generalize it and say “adults”. So this ad is targeting adults. Adults with money enough for a home, who want a custom home that no one has lived in before. Who would be picky enough about location (so their kids are probably mostly grown that they’d be moving them out of schools) to hire a builder for a specific lot they want.
But then why the scooter? I get that for a builder, obviously the people will be “moving”. But it’s not exactly the type of “moving” that would require a scooter, or a teen-aged girl.
The billboard was very catchy. It deffinitly looked hip and modern with it’s graphics, but it was not at all appropriate for what it was trying to sell. With the phrase “get moving” and the picture of a scooter, I was deffinitly not thinking about moving to another house.

2008-01-08T17:35:00.001-08:00

Thunk… thunk…. Thunk… my brother is a writer. He’s attended every writing workshop west of Salt Lake City, and the instructors know his name now and invite him to read poetry and short pieces at fundraisers for their camps. He goes and they present him as their golden-boy, who was just accepted to Columbia University, the third most exclusive college in the nation—even out of the ivy leagues.

THUNK! He throws cards when he gets writer’s block. Cards, like from a normal deck of face cards. He’s figured out a way to throw them that really hurts if you get in the way. Sometimes he throws three or four at a time. He usually closes the door, and you can hear them as they hit and fly off. Sometimes he leaves the door open. He left a thin white and red welt on my leg when I went to brush my teeth one night.

He planned to major in creative writing. He knew he would stand out, even in New York City. During a summer course when he was 18 the instructor told him "Ren, if you were even 25 I would still tell you this was phenomenal work. By the time you reach that age, you will be published in the New Yorker." Maybe that’s why he wanted to live there.

He writes all the time. My mom said once that he sticks to things that are hard for him just for them to be hard. I don’t really understand what she meant, but ever since then I’ve wondered if he really is talented. Talent verses the rest of us just assuming.

Before he left for Manhattan, he bought a new laptop, a rust-red leather jacket and white aviator sunglasses.

He based his writing career on his admittance to Columbia. The previous October, he and I had taken a trip to visit the campus. He bought a sweatshirt there, and left it in a bag on a shelf in his closet with the tags still on until his acceptance letter came in the mail.

He wanted to leave our small hometown so badly. I wonder if he’s used to the barnacles of buildings, the smell of car exhaust and the rush of the subway yet. He never answers my phone calls. But he always calls me back.

nicole is sooooooo cool

2008-01-07T14:36:00.001-08:00

english is fun.