February 2017
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Vol. 3 Iss. 2
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Trans-Jordan updates include future landfills, NUERA research projects, recycling goals By Mandy Ditto | m.ditto@mycityjournals.com
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An aerial view of the Bayview Landfill, where four landfills in Utah will start taking their solid waste once the lifespan of their landfills are up. (Trans-Jordan)
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LOCAL LIFE
Page 2 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
United We Read hopes to bring county together through reading By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com The Midvale City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Midvale. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.
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alt Lake County Library Services is hoping to bring residents and community together through the shared experience of reading the same book in United We Read. Over the next few months, residents are encouraged to read “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman and participate in programs and events based on the book. This is the first year of United We Read. In years past, libraries have participated in “One County, One Book.” However, this was the first year every library in the county was involved in planning the initiative. “We just wanted to make sure we provided the community with the opportunity to come together,” said Liz Sollis, marketing and community manager for the Salt Lake County Library Services. “We felt the best way to do it is to make sure the three main public libraries within Salt Lake County were providing a similar user experience no matter what library they went to.” “A Man Called Ove” tells the story of a cranky yet sad old man who is forced to interact with his chatty and lively new neighbors after they accidently flatten his mailbox. Sollis said it was chosen to be the United We Read book because of its themes of unity. “We know the election year has been very divisive and we wanted to find something that was really unifying. We read several books and decided this book, it has a sense of community and it provided a lot of elements that I think, if you’re in a community, it’s hard not to experience,” Sollis said. “The other thing we wanted to promote was kindness. This book, we felt also encourages and promotes kindness. It shares examples of kindness.” The United We Read website, www. unitedwereadslc.org, will provide a place for readers to connect and share their experiences reading the book, including examples of kindness they’ve either received or given.
Salt Lake Library Director Jim Cooper reads “A Man Called Ove,” the book for the first United We Read. (Liz Sollis/ Salt Lake County Library Services)
Sollis said the book is also a fairly easy read. “We wanted to find a book that wouldn’t be too difficult to read. Sometimes books are selected that are real deep topics and really long,” Sollis said. “We wanted a book that was right in the middle that connected with a lot of people and where people could relate to the situation.” In order to accommodate the number of people who will be reading the book, all libraries have increased the number of copies of the book, both in paper copies and in electronic copies. “Additionally, at the different branches, we’re also giving away some books through programs. The books are first come, first served but the idea is once you read it, you share it with someone else,” Sollis said. “There will be free copies of the book floating around and there
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will be copies people can check out.” The official launch for United We Read was on Jan. 18 but different libraries will be doing programs related to the book through May. There will also be a screening of the Swedish movie based on the book in February. “We’re going to have classes on auto mechanics. We’re going to be doing classes on bike repair. We’re going to do classes on suicide prevention. We’re going to have classes on cooking. We’re funding a variety of classes that we can offer,” Sollis said. “There will be book discussions in addition. Many of the branches do book clubs so we’ll have books for the book discussions. There will be a variety of programs that tie into the money topics in the books.” Sollis advised residents to be patient when they wait to get a copy of the book, since they will be promoting the book throughout the entire county. l
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If you would lIke to partIcIpate In the choIr or orchestra: Choir rehearsals begin Feb. 18, 2017 at 8:00AM – LDS church located at: 7699 S. Chad Street (785 E.) For orchestra inquiries & other info:
call Jan litster – 801-631-2895
February 2017 | Page 3
ENTERPRISE
Page 4 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
Health insurance help: How to live with it and not without By Mandy Ditto | m.ditto@mycityjournals.com
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ven though open enrollment for this year has closed, there are plenty of things to be confused about when it comes to health insurance. Though many people may know the basics about deductibles, premiums and copayments, there are always pitfalls — or just deeper questions — people should be aware of and asking about. Unfortunately, there are times that insurance companies are simply limited, or have created policies that limit them with what they can cover, and people aren’t aware until a medical emergency of some kind comes up and they need help. Here are some professionals’ tips, and personal stories from the Salt Lake Valley pertaining to navigating health insurance. What isn’t covered Due to the fact that every insurance provider is different, it is difficult to say which things are typically not covered. However, if people are asking questions about the conditions they have or may have to deal with before they pin down which insurance policy to use, they can often get the answers they need about which carrier and policy works best for them, said Heidi Castaneda, Small Employer and Individual Plan sales director at Select Health. Oftentimes, however, nobody can know what exactly what is going to happen to them or their family, and they simply need coverage for emergencies. There are also experimental procedures that insurance companies often don’t cover for various reasons, and needing something like this with no coverage can be costly. For the Nichols family this has been a reality over the past several years, as they have fought for understanding about their 15-year-old son’s medical conditions and health. Brody — or Spencer, at school — was born with hydronephrosis on the left side, which causes swelling of the kidney because urine can’t drain properly. He had surgery at 10-months-old and the family was told he would live a normal life. They later found out that Brody also had it on the right side, and in May 2015 he was feeling sick again. After several months and fighting for an ultrasound, they discovered that neither kidneys were draining properly. Surgery was done again on both sides at the beginning of 2016, but they still had to have nephrostomy tubes put in during the summer, to help the kidneys drain into bags Brody carries on his back. After several doctors discussed Brody’s condition they decided he needed a kidney autotransplant. “Brody will be the first minor in Utah to have this procedure done, he’ll be the first one at Primary Children’s to have it done, if it gets authorized to be okay,” said Rachel Nichols, Brody’s mom. “University of Utah is a research school, so they have
done at least 30 cases on adults, but there’s not enough evidence for children with his diagnosis to prove that this will work, so they’re calling it experimental.” However, because of its experimental nature, the Nichols’s health provider, Select Health, told them they wouldn’t be able to cover it, due to their policy. The family has been fighting and appealing to gain coverage for the $100,000 to $150,000 procedure ever since so that “Brody can live and be a teenager,” Nichols said. Because Brody’s right kidney was saved in time and is functioning, the autotransplant would simply move the kidney into the pelvic area to attach directly to the bladder, Nichols said, which is what is done with kidney transplants from donors. “If we can do that, we feel that he will live a healthy life, he will not be on any anti-rejection medicine and he will not be on any opioids,” Nichols said. “From the doctors that we’ve had, we’ve had three different opinions, they all say yes, he needs to have this done. Select Health gets to rubberstamp it after five doctors have said … all five have said yes, but they are calling it experimental and there’s not enough information stating that this will work for him.” Nichols believes that if this can be approved and pushed forward, that Brody “can open the doors for other children to have this done.” The Nichols were denied on December 14 and so Rachel turned to social media about it, and got the attention of an appeals manager. Brody had a surgery date set for January 3, but the appeal wasn’t processed in time. As of mid-January the chief medical officer of Select Health is looking at the case personally, and the Nichols are waiting to see what will happen. “It makes you think about what health insurance company you want to use, and that’s something people need to look into: what is covered by one insurance and what is not covered by another insurance,” Nichols said. In regards to covering experimental procedures like autotransplants, “all types of insurance have limitations and exclusions, and the reason around that is from a cost standpoint,” said Scott Schneider, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Select Health. “You could cover every single thing possible and then the cost would be reflective of that … insurance plans typically covered a mandated level of benefits … all forms have a form of limitations or exclusions.” Questions that need asking about health insurance Because it can be intimidating for people to look through those official documents that explain coverage, Castaneda suggests that “reaching out for additional resources is obviously going to
Rachel Nichols and her son Brody, who is in need of an kidney autotransplant, and is waiting for approval from their insurance to cover the experimental procedure. (Mandy Ditto/City Journals)
be a good idea for some, whether it’s reaching right out to your insurer or agent or broker, to be able to answer some of those questions you might have that are not straightforward.” Out-of-pocket maximums, deductibles, pharmacy copays, emergency room copays and urgent care costs are some of the specific things people should look at as they go over their SBC and schedule of benefits, Schneider said. In regards to medical emergencies, people should “get a feel for, ‘Where could I go receive urgent care benefits?’ It’s nice to look at those things while you’re calm, so you could say, ‘Hey urgent care is a $100 visit but the emergency room is $500,’ and go back and say ‘Where is my nearest urgent care unit,’ so they get a feel for what are their copay differentials,” Schneider said. Something many people may not consider is that they can’t always buy insurance, at any time of the year. Because of the Affordable Care Act, there is an enrollment period that goes from November 1 to January 31, said Robert Sautter, current president of the Utah Association of Health Underwriters. People need to be aware of when they need insurance and when they can sign onto a plan; preparedness for the plan they want is also important, so that they are stuck with what works for them. Cost is an obvious thing people are looking at with insurance plans and it all depends on one’s needs to decide how much is reasonable to spend. “People should be looking at what are their needs, are they buying insurance to cover a catastrophic need, in other words do they not have many day-to-day needs, or do you have a common condition to where you need to establish day-to-day care, you need to be covered for that,” Sautter said. “They need to look at their situation, they need to know how much insurance they need. Costs are so high these days, and people will ask to just show them the lowest price product and of course that comes with a high deductible and very high out-of-pocket. The price may be right, but what they realistically need it doesn’t make sense to buy that.” l
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LOCAL LIFE
M idvalejournal.com
February 2017 | Page 5
Dipo named UAR President for 2017 By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
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eAnna Dipo was named President of the Utah Association of Realtors (UAR) for 2017. It was announced by Dipo’s employer, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage on Jan. 9. “It’s a real honor that my colleagues would elect me into the position to represent them not only on a local level but on a national level,” Dipo said. Dipo is the sales manager of her company’s Union Heights office having worked in the real estate field for over 20 years. She will serve as the UAR president for one year. “I’m very humbled and I’m dedicated to do a good job representing the realtor family,” Dipo, a Cottonwood Heights resident, said. Dipo has slowly climbed the ladder of UAR leadership. After losing her first time running for treasurer, she was elected on her second attempt before eventually being elected vicepresident and then president-elect in 2016. She initially got involved as a volunteer with a committee at her local board, before becoming the president of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors in 2011. “When you see a bigger picture, you want to do more and be a part of more,” Dipo said. Chris Jensen, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, wrote in a press release he was “extremely proud of DeAnna and this very well-deserved honor.” “She has given so much back to our profession and is highly regarded by her peers for her extensive knowledge of the real estate profession. I know she will be a tremendous asset to the association and its members.” Dipo will work with local realtor boards across the state as
DeAnna Dipo speaks to a coworker on Jan. 17. Dipo was named the President of the Utah Association of Realtors for 2017. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
well as representing Utah in May when she travels to Washington, D.C. to lobby congress. Much of her work will be advocating on behalf of real estate professionals in Utah as well as their clients. She said the idea is to help both the business and the client like fighting the transfer tax, which is where anytime someone buys or sells, there’s another tax on that transaction that’s passed onto the consumer. “That’s really my passion is what we do as an industry and
what we do for the consumer,” Dipo said noting that consumers don’t always know there’s a board fighting to help them legislatively. Among the initiatives Dipo is taking on this year includes working towards an affordable housing bill. An intricate issue that involves dealing with cities who may or may not want it. “I’d love to see all the moving parts of that bill pass, it’s such a complex issue. I really feel positive that we’re going to make some baby steps towards that,” Dipo said. Her position as president is completely volunteer, affecting her time and career income but, she said, the rewards are far greater. “The benefits, I think, outweigh that for sure just in what we can accomplish,” she said. Dipo hopes to continue raising the standards for realtors by providing value the consumer wants. She said they want to be a trustful resource for people looking at real estate. “We want to raise the bar and be more of a service,” Dipo said. “People don’t realize how much we save them at the end of day on little taxes or different initiatives that could pass.” She noted how essential to the industry an organization like UAR is. With the technological developments over the past two decades such as internet listings, there was inevitably a shift away from people using realtors. Dipo said it’s beginning to shift back. “People go online first, but now they’re trying to find a professional to guide them through the pit falls that could happen,” she said. “There’s so many dynamics and working parts to real estate that we are definitely seeing a shift.” l
Page 6 | February 2017
ENTERPRISE
Midvale City Journal
Recycling 101: Getting closer to best recycling practices in the valley By Mandy Ditto | m.ditto@mycityjournals.com
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or years, Salt Lake Valley residents have put out big, green bins to support recycling. However, there isn’t a year that goes by where those residents find themselves unsure of exactly what can be recycled. Why Recycling is Important There are plenty of financial and environmental reasons to recycle, but some area experts say there are things residents should know in order to encourage them to recycle more efficiently. “A lot of our landfills will sustain us for about 15 more years, and then we will either need to ship things out further or have transfer stations,” said Dawn Beagley, who is in charge of business development at ACE Recycling and Disposal. “Or, we can keep all of the recyclables out of landfills and they will last a lot longer.” Besides the environmental impact on landfills, Beagley also believes recycling is simply the right thing to do. “It’s too bad we don’t have kids or grandkids that could invent something using these recyclables to reuse a lot more stuff — that would be best,” Beagley said. “I hate to see when someone throws a plastic bottle in the trash. I teach my kids at home, ‘No, that’s recyclable.’ I just think it’s very important.” Jennifer Meriwether, who handles business development for Rocky Mountain Recycling, sees recycling as real sustainability, “a good alternative, that also keeps people engaged and aware ... that is very important and necessary.” Rocky Mountain Recycling helps with curbside service in the valley by having items picked up by ACE taken to RMR plant facility to go through for contamination and recycling. Many Salt Lake Valley disposal companies want to use community engagement as a way to get people to see the good in recycling. Educating and getting kids involved is especially relevant and is something many parents are doing to show their kids how to make an impact in their community. For Trena L., a Murray resident, recycling definitely feels like she’s engaged and part of a community effort, she said. “There’s always that guilt that comes with it, if you don’t do it, and you feel like you should probably be doing it more,” she said. She puts her curbside bin out at least every other week. “But you are always aware of it and once you just do it, it becomes a habit.” What NOT to Recycle Unfortunately, no matter how much residents are engaged in recycling, there is still misinformation and confusion about what can or cannot be recycled. And though many
Recycling bins line the curbs of Murray streets ready for pick up. (Mandy Ditto/City Journals)
“It’s good for the local economy: it creates jobs, giving sustainable, long-term employment.”
things can be recycled, it depends on whether the city — and the disposal companies that service the city — has the resources to recycle every product, Beagley said. “Because, right now, the recycling numbers are down the products are not worth as much as they use to be,” Beagley said. “And with the recyclers, we are taking items to them that they don’t want as much as they use to.” Currently, plastic foam and any cardboard with wax film are items that recyclers don’t have any place for, and don’t want in recycling. It has also become cheaper for companies to make new plastic bags, rather than recycle and reuse them. When plastic bags are put into curbside recycling bins and taken to the lots where recycled goods are sorted, they are doing what recyclers and disposal companies call contaminating. An entire load may be deemed unrecyclable due to this contamination, unless it is sorted out in time. Plastic bags also frequently clog the recycling machines and local trucks that pick up curbside garbage, Meriwether said. Currently Rocky Mountain Recycling is trying to do a “bag ban” so that plastic bags can only be taken back to grocery stores to be recycled or reused, she said. Contamination is the biggest issue for recyclers. Food waste that is in or on recyclable products, as well as clothing and plastic bags, are a few of the things that can also cause contamination, Beagley said.
“We want the recycling bins to be clean. Food waste is the worst. And with clothing, that is the wrong place to recycle it. There are other places for that,” like donation centers, she said. The worst culprit of contamination in curbside bins is glass, since it can break and spread through an entire load of recycling. Glass is a great thing to recycle and reuse, and there are glass drop-offs throughout the valley for it. Most glasses can be recycled, but it is necessary for glass to be taken to specific dropoffs, so that it doesn’t affect other recyclables. There are a few types of glass that cannot be recycled, and those include ceramic, mirrored glass and light bulbs, all of which have problematic contaminants to get out once a load of glass is melted together. Pyrex products, such as pie plates, are also contaminants. The rule to live by with that type of glass can be recycled is: “basically if you can put it in your oven, it can’t be recycled,” noted John Lair, president and CEO of Momentum Recycling, a glass recycling company in Utah and Colorado. For a more comprehensive list of what cannot be recycled by ACE Disposal, which services in the Salt Lake Valley, go to: www.acedisposal.com/index.php/recyclingdisposal-for-your-home/residential-recycling. What TO Recycle Luckily, many items people use on a daily
basis can be recycled. “Glass is a low-hanging fruit: it’s easy material to identify, glass is always recyclable besides the few we listed and everyone can do it,” Lair said. Glass can also be reused playing another part in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle cycle. “Glass is 100 percent recyclable. You can make a new container with glass that you can’t do with other (materials),” Lair said. “If you are shopping based on your sustainability preferences, glass is your best packing choice. I really encourage people to embrace glass and close the loop and make sure to recycle glass locally.” When it comes to plastics, papers and metals that can be recycled, there are many options and are not as limited as many may think. “A lot of people, they think they can’t put a lot of things in the recycling bin, so they put it in the garbage…it’s actually a lot easier than people think,” Meriwether said. “People think they have to go through a big process, sorting them and all and they don’t necessarily have to do that.” Below are household items that can be recycled: • Paper: office, note • Brochures, catalogues • Newspaper • Wrapping paper • Cardboard (flattened or cut) • Envelopes • Paper egg cartons • Plastic containers #1-7 • Washed out milk, juice, water jugs & bottles • Washed out laundry jugs and bottles • Aluminum cans • Tin cans • Clean aluminum foil • Aluminum disposable pans and plates For a more comprehensive list of recyclable items, visit: www.acedisposal.com/ index.php/recycling-disposal-for-your-home/ residential-recycling. Lair sees recycling as important for the entire community, and not just for environmental concerns. “It’s good for the local economy: it creates jobs, giving sustainable, long-term employment. Like ours, most are small businesses, which is very good for the community in many ways,” Lair said. “I would encourage people to get involved...and in the long run, help us conserve our limited, dwindling recycled materials. Whether it’s products or packaging, it doesn’t have to be dug from the earth; it extends longevity of natural resources, it’s the smart thing to do, and not just environmentally.” l
GOVERNMENT
M idvalejournal.com
Trans-Jordan updates include future landfills, NUERA research projects, recycling goals By Mandy Ditto | m.ditto@mycityjournals.com
A
February 2017 | Page 7
Helping Dreams Come True
weekly garbage curbside pickup is a given for most residents of the Salt Lake valley. However, having a place for that garbage to go every week after pickup is much more complicated than rolling a can down the driveway. Trans-Jordan Cities Landfill services Draper, Midvale, Murray, Riverton, Sandy, South Jordan and West Jordan and is currently in the last part of its lifespan, which means there are 10-15 more years expected before it is full. Because of this, Trans-Jordan took action and worked with other landfills that are part of the Northern Utah Environmental Resource Agency (NUERA) to come up with a solution. NUERA & Bayview Landfill NUERA is a collaborative group of six landfills ranging from Logan to Southern Utah, that came together to solve issues, come up with new ideas and work on projects together. “The idea is that we meet together, we talk about things, we have an operations team that talks about specific operations processes, and it’s just a way of using our combined knowledge together to make the whole system better for the public,” said Trans-Jordan’s and NUERA’s Board Vice Chairman David Newton. “The second part of that is that we can work together on projects if they come up that one or more of the landfills want to involve themselves with — they can do so on a voluntary basis — again in an effort to make things better as far as our waste needs.” Four of the landfills that are part of NUERA came together to purchase an interest in the Bayview Landfill, which is located in the southwest part of Utah County and is currently operating. The Bayview Landfill will save money and time with its proximity and pricing for these landfills to take their garbage, compared to others where prices are higher, or are much further. “You could say that we’re in charge of identifying the long-term picture, it’s sort of a puzzle, and this is a big piece of the puzzle that was put into place, because it gives our residents the surety that they have the best value location for their waste to go for the next 100 years,” said Trans-Jordan Executive Director Mark Hooyer. “Value to us means the lowest cost to our residents, as far as the fees and taxes they pay to have their waste picked up.” Expanding landfill research Something else that NUERA is starting to look into — specifically initiated and headed by Hooyer — is having their landfills used to help conduct research, specifically by local university students. “One of my goals is to help the Wasatch Front stand out nationally as an area of solid waste practice and research,” Hooyer said. “There are a lot of areas to study with landfills, what we have
A map showing the distance from Trans-Jordan landfill to the new Bayview Landfill. (Trans-Jordan)
going on.” NUERA collectively has five active landfills to offer for research: one brand new one, one in young age, two in early-old age, and one readying for final closure, Hooyer said. There are also two closed landfills that could be used, as well as other diverse stations and plants that could be used for extensive research. “We want to stand out, we want to be recognized as a center of excellence, we’ve identified some funding sources where the money might likely come from,” which include the universities themselves, outside organizations that want to be involved with the research and NUERA members who are interested and engaged in any research, Hooyer said. Just a few of the research projects that could be conducted at the landfills include: solid waste landfilling, ground water protection, landfill gas production, compost science, energy projects, economics and financial analysis of operations, recycling and reuse of materials and more. “With NUERA, we’re more communityfocused as far as we’re reaching out to the states saying we want to bolster the universities, we want to work together so we can improve the education in the state, make Utah shine as the center of excellence when it comes to solid waste research,” Hooyer said. Reducing recycling contamination rates Bringing down the recycling contamination rates is another serious goal of Trans-Jordan — and NUERA. Contamination takes place when recyclables aren’t cleaned properly before being put into curbside recycling bins. This means that those recyclables — along with non-
recyclables put into recycling bins — have to be taken to landfills. It is not within the means of waste disposal companies to meticulously clean and sort all recyclables picked up, so it’s either recyclable with their equipment, or it isn’t. Trans-Jordan is working on an initiative with all serviced cities so that fewer recyclables will have to be taken to landfills by educating everyone the same way on what can and cannot be recycled. “We’re so big on pushing for recycling because we’ve got to save our landfill space, we’ve got to save the resources,” said Lesha Earl, Trans-Jordan’s education coordinator. “We’re pulling all of our member cities together to get all of the cities on the same page with recycling so they all say the same guidelines, there’s no confusion on what can be recycled, what can’t be recycled.” Earl will be the one to head the recycling initiative for Trans-Jordan. One example of recycling contamination is plastic grocery bags, Newton said. The bags are not recyclable and can be harmful not only to the environment but also can harm the recycling equipment where pickups are taken. Two solutions for the bags can be either returning them to bins inside grocery stores to be reused eventually, or to use them as garbage sacks to go to the landfill. Glass is recyclable, but not in curbside bins; it should be taken to glass recycling pickup stations. Trans-Jordan does not recycle glass, but does provide such services as taking care of household hazardous waste, creating compost from green waste and offering dumpster roll-out services to residents of affiliated cities. l
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GOVERNMENT
Page 8 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
Residents asked to do their part to improve air quality By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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inters in Salt Lake County not only means cold and snow. It also means inversion and poor air quality. While it may seem like an overwhelming task, there are things residents can do to help alleviate the bad air and make the winter a little bit more breathable. Donna Spangler, the communications director at the Division of Air Quality at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality explained the inversion is caused by cold air being trapped next to the valley floor by a layer of warmer air above. In that cold air is particulate matter that is the main source of the inversion. The DAQ has air monitors all around the county and state next to schools that measure the particulate matter. “Typically, we have the air monitors near schools because we want to know what the particulates say next to our most vulnerable population, which is our children because they tend to breath in more air,” Spangler said. “What the air monitors show us during the winter time and during an inversion, much of the pollution, and we’ve done inventories to show where that pollution is coming from, 48 percent comes from automobiles.” According to Spangler, other sources
include industries such as power plants and what are called area sources. These are sources where there is no specific kind or particular industry or business that is emitting the form of particulates that cause inversion. This includes cooking happening in restaurants, heating homes and various small businesses. “The reason that’s important is because when the Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Air Quality looks at trying to come up with regulations to limit these kinds of pollution that form this kind of particulates, it’s really difficult because you can’t regulate one specific sector,” Spangler said. “It’s a bunch of little things. That’s why it’s important for people to understand that every action that we take, everything we do does add to the pollution.” According to Spangler, breathing in particulate matter during an inversion is harmful because the particulates get trapped in the lungs. Persistent and prolonged exposure could lead to lung damage. “As far as the health issue, it depends on how healthy you are. People react differently depending on what pollution they breath,” Spangler said. “We call our most sensitive population children because they breath in more,
the elderly because they have compromised respiratory systems if they’re older, people with asthma are obviously impacted more than those who are normally healthy.” Since cars are the primary source of particulate pollution, Spangler said consolidating trips and using public transportation is the best way to help improve the air quality. Choosing not to leave the car idling also helps improve the air quality. Through grants, the DAQ and the Utah Clean Air partnership work together to get businesses to install pollution control equipment to improve the air quality. “We offer people to convert their wood burning stoves into gas heating systems. If a person uses wood burning as their sole source of heat, they are exempt from our rules that
say you can’t burn,” Spangler said. “But we go in and we offer them a replacement. So we actually pay to have them convert to a cleaner source of heat.” Air quality is sure to be a topic discussed at the legislative session. Spangler said the main need right now is funding to replace old monitoring equipment. “A lot of the research that is needed is in collaboration with universities, with our federal partners to actually get a better understanding of what is causing the air pollution so that we can have better regulatory controls that are more targeted to reducing pollution and making our air quality better,” Spangler said. For more information about air quality, visit deq.utah.gov. l
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M idvalejournal.com
16 PLAYERS. 50 YARD FIELD. 60 MINUTE CLOCK. 10,856 COACHES.
THE FIRST PRO TEAM WHERE FANS CALL THE PLAYS IS STARTING HERE IN UTAH. The Salt Lake Screaming Eagles of the Indoor Football League begin play on February 16th with an innovative approach to sports. Fans can call plays from their phones in the arena. And at the Maverik Center, that means up to 10,856 fans that can call the plays. We are bringing the best of online gaming to the game itself. To find out how you can be a coach or for season tickets visit saltlakescreamingeagles.com. For City Journals Exclusive Home Opener Ticket Offer vs. Nebraska Danger on February 16th, contact Charles, charles@saltlakescreamingeagles.com LIMITED TICKET AVAILABILITY, BOOK YOUR SEATS TODAY!
GOVERNMENT New UFA chief ready for ‘less drama, more action’
Page 10 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
By Tori La Rue | tori@mycityjournals.com
S
ix months after City Weekly reported on questionable bonuses and use of credit cards among top Unified Fire Authority officials, Utah’s largest fire service has a new head. Dan Petersen, who started his full-time firefighting career in 1980, claimed his first day as UFA’s Fire Chief on Jan. 17. Petersen, who’s been the Fire Chief, CEO and Budget Officer for Jackson Dan Petersen joined UFA as its new chief County Fire District 3 for on Jan. 17. Petersen said he’s hoping to more than six years, holds bring a new level of transparency and a master’s in management leadership to Utah’s largest fire agency. from Southern Oregon (Unified Fire Authority) State University, a bachelor of science in fire administration from Western Oregon State University and an associate of science in fire science from Rogue Community College. His experience with wildland and urban interface fires and “proven track record of building trust” launched him to the top of the pool of more than 30 applications, according to Mike Watson, who was the interim chief after former Chief Michael Jensen resigned. “As I have explained to our employees, Chief Petersen is exactly what UFA needs,” Watson said. “He is very peopleoriented and able to build sound relationships. He is confident in his abilities to lead UFA, and the ad hoc committee members were highly impressed with his leadership examples and abilities.” Petersen said he’s not nervous to jump into UFA where state audits on former high-ups incentive pay and credit card spending recommend a criminal investigation into the misuse of funds by Jensen, former Deputy Chief Gaylord Scott and a couple other top UFA officials. Jensen and Gaylord spent more than $50,000 on company credit cards and, along with two other top UFA officials, racked up more than $100,000 each in total incentives from 2011 to 2015. “I have already met with many of the staff about establishing leadership expectations and let them know that we won’t be tolerating unethical behavior or anything in that vein. We must do the right thing every time. The organization is ready for less drama and more action in the right area,” Petersen said.
“I’ll be reviewing the leadership organization, and making sure leadership is there to support the firefighters who are doing that job every day to respond to your house and take care of your needs — that’s where my work will be going.” While Petersen said he knows it may take a while to gain public trust because of his predecessors, he’s hoping to expedite that process by increasing public transparency of the budget. “My goal, and that of our current finance director, is to let the public see how the money is spent and where it fits,” he said. Petersen took his first days in Utah to get to know the people he will be working with by scheduling meetings with all stations and staff—that’s a total of more than 120 meetings. Petersen said it’s important for he and the UFA firefighters to know each other. “They are the ones performing service every day on the street and will give me a better view of what we need to do,” Petersen said. “The meetings will make sure we are all clear on the kind of leadership vision, mission and values fit what is best for the community, and from those discussions, we will generate a list of action items to tackle as a team.” The strong community feel at UFA and dedication of the firefighters is familiar to Petersen, he said, reminding him of his work at Fire District 3. That’s one of the reasons he decided to apply for the position after taking a trip to Utah to visit. Petersen said he wasn’t looking for a new job but was slowly convinced by “a trusted recruiter” that it would be a good move. Job changes tend to happen unexpectedly, Petersen added, telling the story of how he chose to join the fire service. While attending college, Petersen noticed that a student in his chemistry class responded to a pager. He approached the student about it and found out he was working as a volunteer firefighter and living rent free at the fire station. “I thought that was a pretty cool opportunity, so in 1979, I started living in the fire station while going to college,” he said. “After a year of that, I realized this is what I wanted to do. I fell into it.” Petersen worked his way up from firefighter to engineer and then to captain before becoming a battalion chief, then deputy chief and finally a fire chief. After nearly 38 years in Southern Oregon’s fire industry, Petersen fell into another opportunity—one at UFA. The decision wasn’t as easy, according to Petersen, but he said he feels like he made the right choice. “My wife and I have taken this day by day,” he said. “Our kids are out of the house, and I’m done being depressed about that, so we’re ready for the next change. It will be an adventure, and I’m excited to experience Utah.” l
Proper process to enter municipal elections announced By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
T
his year marks the final one for Mayor JoAnn Seghini. She will be retiring having been the mayor of Midvale since winning her first mayoral election in 1995. Her retirement paves the way for the election of the city’s new mayor to begin in 2018. Last month the Midvale Journal included in our “Year in Review” story that a resident of Midvale had placed herself in the running to become Mayor of Midvale. An individual can announce their desire to run for office at any time; however, they are not officially a candidate until they file their Declaration of Candidacy between June 1-7 and have met all of the qualifications. Declaration of Candidacy must take place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the city recorder’s office on the second floor of Midvale City Hall, located at 7505 S. Holden Street. While the Mayoral position will be vacated, two districts will also be up for election: District 4 and District 5 where Councilmen Wayne Sharp and Stephen Brown are currently serving, respectively. Certain qualifications need to be fulfilled if candidates are to be considered: • United States citizen at the time of filing. • Registered voter. • Resident of the municipality for a period of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election. • Reside within the city council district running for. • Mentally competent, have not been convicted of a felony and have not been convicted of treason or a crime against the elective franchise. The filing fee to enter the race as city council member is $25 while the Mayoral race is $50. For any additional information, contact Rori Andreason, Midvale City Recorder at 801-567-7207 or randreason@midvale. com. l
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February 2017 | Page 11
M idvalejournal.com
In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047 MiDVale CitY DiReCtoRY City Hall Finance/Utilities Court City Attorney’s Office City Recorder/H.R. Community Development Public Works Ace Disposal/Recycling City Museum Senior Citizens Center SL County Animal Services Midvale Precinct UPD Police Dispatch Unified Fire Authority Fire Dispatch
801-567-7200 801-567-7202 801-255-4234 801-567-7250 801-567-7225 801-567-7211 801-567-7235 801-363-9995 801-569-8040 385-468-3350 385-468-7387 385-468-9350 801-743-7000 801-743-7200 801-840-4000
MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MaYoR JoAnn B. Seghini Email: joanns@midvale.com CitY CoUnCil District 1 - Quinn Sperry Email: qsperry@midvale.com District 2 - Paul Glover Email: pglover@midvale.com District 3 - Paul Hunt Email: phunt@midvale.com District 4 - Wayne Sharp Email: wsharp@midvale.com District 5 - Stephen Brown Email: sbrown@midvale.com
801-567-7204
801-255-5428 801-561-5773 801-842-8524 801-567-8709 801-783-0962
who to Call FoR… Water Bills Ordering A New Trash Can Reserving the Bowery Permits GRAMA requests Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Property Questions Cemetery Water Line Breaks Planning and Zoning Building Inspections Code Enforcement Graffiti North of 7200 S Code Enforcement/Graffiti South of 7200 S
(801)567-7258 (801)567-7202 (801)567-7202 (801)567-7212 (801)567-7207 (801) 255-4234 (801)567-7202 (801)567-7213 (801)567-7246 (801)567-7235 (801) 256-2575 (801)567-7231 (801)567-7208 (801)256-2537 (801)256-2541
eMeRGenCY oR DisasteR ContaCt Public Works (7 am to 5 pm) (801)567-7235 Public Works On-Call (after business hours) (801)580-7274 OR (801)580-7034 Fire Dispatch – Unified Fire Authority (801)840-4000 Midvale Police Precinct (385) 468-9350 or Police Dispatch Unified Police Department (801)743-7000 EMERGENCY 911
FEBRUARY 2017 CITY NEWSLETTER
As I See It By Mayor JoAnn B. Seghini In the last issue of the Journal there was an article announcing that I plan to retire at the end of this year. This means that you will be choosing a new mayor to serve the community. It is important to know that the person you choose will have many issues to address as Midvale grows and as our community continues to serve our citizens. You have heard me say in the past that it is important the mayor is involved in many committees and on many governmental levels. Your mayor must be your voice at the legislature, in the county, and as he or she works with other communities. Midvale is one of the smallest communities in Salt Lake County. We are 5.8 square miles and have a residential population of 34,200. Our daytime population which includes those who work in Midvale is over 60,000 people. Midvale is a great place to live and a great place to work and your newly elected officials must consider the issues that need to be addressed as we grow and change. There is often conflict with new development. Your new mayor will need to work with all citizens as our community changes and as development occurs in the future. Your challenge as citizens will be to work to make change that recognizes the needs of a variety of housing choices. There will also be a need to work to maintain single family neighborhoods for home owners rather than as rentals with absentee landlords. This will be part of a program starting this year with the hiring of a housing director. The population of our city and the fact that I15 and I215 converge at 7200 South has created major traffic problems. In the future, the Utah Department of Transportation will have to improve this traffic corridor. This will include widening 7200 South under the two rail lines which will help all of us who live and work in Midvale. Your new mayor will also be working with the Federal and State governments to develop Jordan Bluffs, a 265 acre property that was part of a superfund site. The property on the Southwest part of our community has many challenges. The city is trying to determine how this property can be developed and safely used in the future. This will require working with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency as well as with developers. It is important that we work together as development occurs. Transit Oriented Development can plan for higher density near transit stops. We have three transit stations in Midvale. These developments must consider density and impact of existing neighborhoods. It is also important that your mayor and elected officials continue to demand funding for special needs related to the Homeless Shelter for Families with Children. The legislature has mandated that the shelter shall operate for the next three years and they have funded a full time police officer to work with that
population. We are asking for another full time officer so that we have 24-7 service. Your community leaders must continue to get the help that is needed if the shelter is to operate smoothly and does so without impacting the larger community. Your mayor should also be involved in committees in Salt Lake County. We can get funding for Arts programs, parks, and other community projects. This last year the county helped fund the development of a softball park and a park playground. They have also funded programs to improve art facilities such as the Amphitheater in the Park and the Arts Center in the Historic City Hall. As we work to improve the Midvale City Park we would like to tear down the bowery and add parking while constructing an outdoor bowery attached to the old senior center. The old center will be made into a reception center that could be rented out or used for city activities. The Midvale Museum could also be moved into the center so that more people would have access to it. Many of you remember Main Street when it was the shopping center of South Valley. Main Street is being rejuvenated. Many businesses have opened in buildings of the East side of the Street. The city is in the process of forming a Community Development Project Area that will help building owners to improve the buildings and encourage development of businesses to move in as space is available. The City will continue to develop the 7200 South corridor and improve traffic flow through the Family Center area. The Economic Development Department is constantly working to bring business into our community to serve a variety of shopping needs. In the next three years the city will be involved in upgrading roads and repairing those roads that need attention. Some sidewalks need to be repaired. I will serve until January 1, 2018, 12 o’clock noon. Your newly elected officials will be sworn in the first week of 2018. Make sure that you vote for the individuals that will have a vision for the future of Midvale. Make sure that the only agendas of your elected officials are to serve the people and businesses of Midvale. And, make sure that you as citizens are willing to work with your elected officials to make Midvale a better place. The office of mayor is nonpartisan, which means that the office is not republican, democrat, or any other designation. The mayor can be part of any political party he or she chooses but party affiliation is not required. This was always very important to me because I always looked beyond party politics. My job has been to treat all citizens with respect, for it is in working together than we make our community stronger.
Midvale City Appoints New Public Works Director Larry Wright was appointed Interim Public Works Director in September 2016. Larry has an extensive background in supervising and leading a team of employees to success. He is more than qualified for the job and has proven himself over the last few months in earning the respect of the Public Works employees and management by doing an excellent job. Larry Wright was appointed Public Works Director on January 17, 2017 at the Midvale City Council Meeting. Larry was recognized by the City Council and staff.
Page 12 | February 2017
In The Middle of Everything
SAFE WINTER DRIVING
Winter is in full swing and that means road conditions are constantly changing. Inclement weather related crashes resulted in 35 fatalities in 2015. Follow these winter driving tips to keep you in control of your vehicle and reduce risks this season: • Ice and snow, take it slow. The posted speed limit is for dry, ideal conditions. If it’s wet, snowy or icy, you should SLOW DOWN. • Avoid quick stops, starts and turns. Accelerate slowly, brake gently, and don’t turn quickly. • Increase your following distance. You need more space to safely stop when it’s wet, snowy or icy. Add 1 second to your following distance for every condition (for example: ice, snow, fog or rain). • Use extra caution when changing lanes. Snow and slush can form ridges between lanes that can be slippery and cause you to lose control. Avoid land changes if all possible on snowy and slushy roads. • Always buckle up. When buckling children in car seats, remember to “buckle then bundle.” Coats can interfere with a snug fit, so place your child in the car seat securely then place their coat or blanket around them for warmth. • 4WD/AWD does not make you invincible. They help some with traction, but they don’t help with stopping, slipping and turning. You still need to SLOW DOWN. • Keep y our gas tank at least half. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to travel to your destination, and stay home if you really don’t need to go out on the roads during a storm.
Midvale City Journal
WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG
Midvale City Justice Court’s New Website Midvale City Justice court has been working hard on making a new and improved website and we’d like to get your feedback. In an effort to provide more information to residents and others who receive a traffic city within Midvale City boundaries, we have created four separate informational pages: Traffic Citations, Legal Resources, Small Claims and Expungements. The Traffic Citations page outlines how to pay your traffic ticket, find out if you qualify for a Plea In Abeyance agreement which will dismiss the ticket or schedule a hearing to see Judge Vo-Duc. Also listed on the page are the fine amounts for the most common traffic tickets issued so that residents know how much they are expected to pay. The State of Utah sets the Uniform Bail Schedule which regulates the amount of money per fine; Court Clerks cannot stray from the posted fine amounts. Arraignments, which are the first hearing held in a Justice Court Case, are held on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. The Legal Resources page has been created to help those who do not qualify for Court Appointed Legal Counsel but still need or want help. There are links to legal clinics around the Salt Lake Valley and attorneys who provide services at a reduced rate.
www.midvalecity.org/departments/justice-court
Vehicle Survival & Emergency Kit You never know when you might become stranded in your vehicle. Be ready to take care of you and your family in an emergency. Maintain a minimum of ½ tank of gas and keep vehicles services for seasonal changes. Keep a sturdy container with the following items: • Water in 2-liter bottles (filled ¾ full to allow for freeze expansion); rotate every six months. • Food/power bars, candy, dehydrated fruit, nuts, etc.; rotate food regularly • Blankets (can be Mylar) or a sleeping bag, Coats/jackets, rain poncho, boots, gloves for warmth and work • Road emergency flares • Flashlight with extra batteries, fluorescent light sticks • Fire extinguisher (Standard Class ABC) • Collapsible shovel • Jumper cables • Whistle (equipped to hang around neck) • Dust masks • Personal sanitation items (toilet tissue, moist towelettes, feminine supplies) • Writing pad, pencils, road map • Siphoning Hose • Ice scraper • Additional car kit items: tools needed to change a flat tire, bag of sand or rock salt, tow rope • First aid kit • Always buckle up, don’t text and drive, and always drive safely! • For more preparedness information: BeReadyUtah.gov
On the Small Claims page you will be walked through the process of filing a civil suit in the Midvale Justice Court. Small Claims cases cannot be filed if the amount of damages listed is more than $10,000. The information found on the Small Claims page includes the necessary filing documents, the process for serving papers, and an outline of the hearing process. Small Claims court is held on Tuesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. Expungments are a process that allows you to remove a criminal conviction or reported police report from your Bureau of Criminal Identification record. The Expungements page outlines the process necessary to receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and then the court paperwork necessary to get the conviction removed. Expungments require a $135 processing fee through the Justice Court and can be brought to the Clerks Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Midvale City Justice Court strives to provide as much information as possible to those who come through our Court. We understand that the process can be scary and stressful and the more information we can provide those who need our help, the better we feel. If there is anything that you would like to see on the website, please contact Michelle Henderson at mhenderson@midvale.com.
February 2017 | Page 13
M idvalejournal.com
FEBRUARY 2017 CITY NEWSLETTER
WWW . FACEBOOK . COM / MIDVALECITY
Employee of the Year Janyce Allan
Senior Justice Court Clerk Midvale City Employee of the Year At the January 17, 2017 City Council Meeting, Janyce Allan was presented the 2016 Midvale City Employee of the Year Award. Janyce Allan has been employed by Midvale City for 18 years as a Senior Justice Court Clerk and is recognized for her ability to fulfill her many responsibilities with competence, dedication, and professionalism. Janyce has been an invaluable and irreplaceable member of the Midvale City Justice Court because of her institutional knowledge and abilities. She performs her duties as Senior Court Clerk with patience, competence and grace. She leads by example, promotes teamwork and unity, takes time to answer questions and provide training to her co-workers and consistently finds new ways to improve court processes and procedures. The Midvale City Employees Association selected Janyce from a group of many loyal, hard-working Midvale City employees nominated by their peers to be honored as Midvale’s Employee of the Year. The Midvale City Council expressed their appreciation for her dedication and service to Midvale City. Congratulations Janyce!
Employee Spotlight Megan Evans
Accounts Payable Clerk Despite only being an employee of Midvale City for a short time, Megan has already proven to be an excellent member of the team. Megan works as the Accounts Payable Clerk where her main duty is to ensure that all the city’s invoices are recorded correctly and paid in a timely fashion. Some of her other duties include overseeing credit card records, helping customers by phone and in person, and assisting the finance department. Between work, sleep, and two sons that play baseball, basketball and football, Megan reports that she has no spare time. When there is a break in the hectic day to day, the family likes to go camping (her favorite spot is at Pine View).
The Problem with Plastic Bags Americans use more than 380 billion plastic bags a year – nearly one million bags per minute! Here in Utah we throw away 940 million plastic bags a year. Durable and lightweight, these bags are also aerodynamic, and often end up in trees, fences, rivers, fields, and storm drains, contributing to millions of dollars in municipal cleanup costs, not to mention creating numerous negative environmental impacts. Plastic bags are also the most prevalent debris surrounding our local landfills. While most of the garbage that is dumped at a landfill remains in place until it is buried beneath 6 inches of dirt at the end of the day, plastic bags easily fly away and end up as litter on surrounding properties. Litter from plastic bags is so prevalent that many landfills spend millions of dollars to install large, curved “Jurassic Park” fences to catch airborne bags. Last year, our Trans-Jordan landfill spent more than $40,000 simply to pick up plastic bag litter. Can I recycle plastic bags? Most plastic bags are marked with a recycling symbol or words claiming that it’s recyclable. Yes, somewhere it may be recyclable, but not here in Utah! Plastic bags are not accepted in curbside recycling bins. Don’t place your recycling into plastic bags before bringing it out to your recycling bin, and don’t place any type of loose plastic bag (grocery bags, sandwich bags, bread bags, etc.) into your bin. The only way these bags can be recycled is if you return them to the store where you originally received them. Plastic bags wreak havoc on the automated equipment at recycling facilities by wrapping around spinning parts. Every day, machinery has to be shut down and plastic bags cut away. As recycling is sorted at our local materials recovery facility, plastic bags are removed from the recycling stream and sent to the landfills – as garbage. What can you do? • Reduce the amount of plastic bags you use by remembering to take reusable bags to the store. • Reuse bags by using them to line your small trash cans or to clean up pet messes, and then place them securely into your trash bin. The weight within the bags will prevent them from becoming flying litter. • Recycle your plastic bags by returning them to the grocery store. Most stores have a plastic bag recycling container near their front entrance. When asked the following questions, Megan’s responses were… What was your favorite TV show growing up? – Growing Pains, Small Wonder, Full House, Saved by the Bell- too many to choose from! If you won a million dollars, what’s the first thing you would buy? –A house with lots of land in the country. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? –The New England area. Cats or Dogs? –Dogs! We have a Saint Bernard and a Golden Retriever. (Their names are Baxter and Tucker respectively.) If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? –The 1950’s- I love poodle skirts, shake shops and a more simplistic way of life! Muppet Show or Sesame Street? –Muppet Show (wacka wacka) Do you believe in any Urban Legends? –Nah. Where is the furthest from home you’ve ever been? –Russia. What is your favorite holiday and how do you celebrate it? –I LOVE the fourth of July. We celebrate with a big BBQ, fireworks, family and friends! At what age do you become an adult? –You’ve made the big leagues when you have to pay those pesky bills.
Page 14 | February 2017
In The Middle of Everything
Midvale City Journal
WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG
Midvale City Fiscal Year 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Arts Council – The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
The City issued its Fiscal Year 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) on December 13, 2016. The report is available on our website. The City’s independent auditors, Hansen, Bradshaw, Malmrose & Erickson, P.C., a firm of Certified Public Accountants, reported to the Audit Committee and the City Council that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Midvale City. The government-wide financial statements show an increase in net position of $4.5 million. The General Fund, the main operating fund for Midvale City, shows a twelve percent decrease in fund balance. This decrease was anticipated, and is one of the factors in the Council’s recent decision to increase property taxes. The General Fund is healthy, with reserves of $2.4 million, thirteen percent of General Fund revenues. The State requires cities to maintain a reserve between five and twenty-five percent of revenues. All of the departments of the City finished the year within appropriated budgets. The City’s business-type activities show a combined increase in net position of two percent. Each fund has adequate operating revenue to cover debt obligations. The Redevelopment Agency shows a twenty percent increase in tax increment revenues due to the continuing development of the Bingham Junction site. The City participates in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) “Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting” program. We were awarded the certificate for the Fiscal Year 2015 CAFR, our first year of participation in the program. The Fiscal Year 2016 CAFR has been submitted to GFOA for award consideration. If you have any questions regarding the CAFR, please call Laurie Harvey at 801-567-7238, or Dalin Hackett at 801-567-7220.
The Midvale Arts Council presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) on March 3-4, 6, 10-11, 2017. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Midvale Performing Arts Center 695 West Center Street (7720 South) Midvale, Utah. Tickets may be purchased online at www.midvalearts.com. Ticket prices are $7 for general admission, $5 for seniors and children, & family passes are available for $25 (one household). Group discounts are available by contacting Producer, Melody Chapman, at Productions@MidvaleArts.com. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is a play written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield that parodies the plays of William Shakespeare with all of them being performed (in comically shortened or merged form) by only three actors. Typically, the actors use their real names and play themselves rather than specific characters. The fourth wall is nonexistent in the performance with the actors speaking directly to the audience during much of the play, and some scenes involve the director, stage crew & audience participation. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) features Director Candice Jorgensen and the talented trio of Actors: Blake London, Matthew Oviatt and Wendy Dang.
Midvale City Offices February Holiday Closures Presidents Day Closed Monday, February 20, 2017
Unsure if that plastic item is recyclable? If it is a plastic container, it is! Plastic bags, films, and other miscellaneous plastics do not belong in your recycling bin! For more recycling information visit slco.org/recycle or email us at recycle@slco.org
2017 MUNICIPAL ELECTION Mayor – At Large District 4 – City Council Member District 5 – City Council Member
DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY JUNE 1-7, 2017 • 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Midvale City Hall, City Recorder 7505 So. Holden St. (2Nd Floor), Midvale, UT
Candidate Qualifications: • United States citizen at the time of filing. • Registered voter. • Resident of the municipality for a period of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election. • Reside within the City Council District running for. • Mentally competent, have not been convicted of a felony, and have not been convicted of treason or a crime against the elective franchise. A person seeking to become a candidate for Midvale City Mayor or City Council Districts 4 or 5 must: • File a Declaration of Candidacy, in person with the Midvale City Recorder during the office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between June 1st and June 7, 2017. • Pay the $25 filing fee for City Council Member or the $50 filing fee for Mayor at time of declaration. For additional information, please contact Rori Andreason, Midvale City Recorder, at (801) 567-7207 or randreason@midvale.com.
EDUCATION
M idvalejournal.com
Hillcrest High hosts state kick-off event for First Robotics Competition By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
February 2017 | Page 15
POSTPONE YOUR HEADSTONE
Dont Text & Drive
Hillcrest High School hosted the season opener event where teams from across the state learned this year’s challenge. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
A
bout 23 teams and representatives from across the state came to Hillcrest High School to watch the unveiling of this year’s challenge for the worldwide FIRST robotics competition. At the Jan. 7 event, about 250 students joined one another for breakfast before watching a live stream that not only showed the founder and co-founder of FIRST robotics speak, but unveiled this year’s three-part challenge, said senior Mary Evans. The challenge is set when technology relied on steam power to prepare their airships. To prepare for the competition, teams must build steam pressure by having their robots collect fuel (Whiffle Balls) and store it in their boiler. Boilers then turn fuel into steam pressure which is stored in the steam tank on their airship. The second part is when the robots deliver plastic gears to pilots on their airship for installation. Once the gear train is complete, they turn the crank to start the rotor. The final part is to prepare for flight, meaning the robots must latch on to their airship before launch (the end of the match) by ascending their ropes to signal that they’re ready for takeoff. “Before the announcement, there was wild speculation of what the game would be this year,” Mary said. “After it was announced, all the teams rushed to get their kits to build the robots. Then a bunch of the teams brainstormed strategies together and watched the mission again to help one another even though we compete against each other. It’s incredibly helpful to hear others’ perspectives and ideas and learn from one another.” As students discussed ideas, the coaches met before each team departed, heading back to their schools for more brainstorming sessions. The teams will meet Wednesday, March 8 through Saturday, March 11 at the Maverick Center where Utah will host its own region for the first time. “Hosting it is huge,” senior Cameron Welch said. “Only one team organizes it and represents FIRST professionally. We had to have their kits ready to be distributed and were excited to prepare for all the teams and learn about this year’s challenge.” According to the FIRST website, the robotics competition is “the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology” where high school participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under the rules, there are limited resources in the six weeks where students raise funds for materials they need, design a team brand, work together to build and program their robot to compete
in a 52-foot by 27-foot field against other teams, Mary said. “Our mission is two minutes and 30 seconds and only the 30 seconds can be pre-programmed. This is the first year, they’re allowing people on the field so that is something new. Our students are divided into teams and we already have some of our teams looking into how to best do these,” Mary said, two days after the kick-off. The team members usually spend up to four hours after school and meet again, all day on Saturday, to work toward the robot and game. They also have demonstrated the robot at Comic Con, being the first FIRST team to do so, volunteered with the Canyons School District’s FIRST Lego League qualifier and have helped with providing service to Jordan Valley students through creating a device that tracks eye movement for those with limited or no mobility. Last year’s 50-member team won the “creativity award,” but with only half as many members this year, everyone is involved in several ways, learning different aspects of the robotics game. “We know we can adjust our existing robot, but we’re also seeking sponsors as we’d like to have the support of as many businesses in Midvale as possible,” Mary said. The team also welcomes mentors who have ideas, strategies and materials they can share with Husky Robotics and their robot, Harve (Highly Advanced Robotic Vehicle Extraordinaire). Mary, who began learning about robotics in sixth grade through FIRST Lego League robotics and picked Hillcrest as her high school since it has a robotics program, said that she now is considering a career in robotics or aerospace and wants to return to Hillcrest next year as a mentor. “I’ve learned so much from this program. I’ve learned how to give presentations and to speak publicly; how to create a business plan; how to fundraise; I understand how a robot works and how to put it together; I’ve learned coding, we work as a team and teach one another,” she said. Teammate Cameron said that she has learned she’s passionate about business through robotics. “Husky robotics attracts all different kinds of people some who build, design and program and others who market and fundraise. I’ve learned a lot from doing the business side of things and the planning, writing and communication. I’d like to open my own business. I’ve learned that if I’m passionate about something, I should pursue it,” she said. l
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EDUCATION
Page 16 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
High schools showcase classes, activities during fairs for incoming students
Midvale Middle theatre students to enter international Shakespeare Film Festival
By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
Midvale Middle School theatre students organize costumes for the student-written play, “Portia’s Example,” based on “The Merchant of Venice.” (Bethanne Lenhart/Midvale Middle School)
A Hillcrest High School holds its annual Husky Fair for both incoming and current students to showcase elective classes and extra-curricular activities offered. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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urrent Midvale Middle School eighthgraders have opportunities to learn about elective classes, extra-curricular activities and sports teams during Hillcrest High School’s and Jordan High School’s annual open-house fairs. The Husky Fair allows both current students as well as incoming students to attend the event, which will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the school’s cafeteria, 7350 South 900 East. Current students may walk through the table displays and talk to teachers and students involved in the activities from 4 to 5 p.m. Incoming students and their parents may come at 5 p.m. to see the table displays, before going to the auditorium at 6 p.m. to meet student body officers, cheer and performing arts performances and learn about registration, said Leslie Covington-Taft, school career and technical education adviser. “This is a fun night where students can see what Hillcrest has to offer and parents can ask questions about the registration process,” Covington-Taft said. Among the 52 displays will be classes in career and technical education, family consumer sciences, business, performing arts, woodworking, robotics and animation, digital media, international languages, automotive and others. There also will be clubs and activities such as mock trial, Hope Squad, Link, Model United Nations, Science Olympiad, Key Blub, book club, business clubs, sports teams, performing arts and more. In addition, students can learn more about Canyons Technology Education Center and Hillcrest’s international baccalaureate (IB) program. “We invite students from Midvale, Union, Albion and welcome those interested from other schools since we offer IB and many of our students come from several middle schools,”
she said. Following the night that can attract hundreds of students and their parents, counselors visit the middle schools to followup with the registration packets. Hillcrest also offers a freshman orientation in August before the school year begins. Similarly, Jordan High will hold its Digger Fair for incoming ninth-graders from Midvale, Eastmont and Mt. Jordan middle schools as well as others interested in attending the school, from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the school, 95 E. Beetdigger Blvd. (9880 South). The first hour is similar to the Husky Fair, where students and their parents can see displays and talk to teachers about classes and programs, before learning about registration in the auditorium the final hour, said Karma Bateman, Jordan CTE coordinator. “We will have tables advertising all the electives freshman can take such as early childhood development, foods, woodworking, computers, robotics, CAD architecture and performing arts and others,” Bateman said. “Some of these will have student demonstrations, activities or games about what they learn in the classes so incoming students can ask and learn more about areas they are interested in.” Bateman said that when students register for classes in February, they help determine which classes will be offered at the high school. “We use the registration forms to determine how many course offerings in each subject we need and it helps with hiring teachers full time or part time in April. At the same time, it gives our incoming students a chance to come to the building, become familiar with our classes and activities and welcome them to their future school,” she said. l
bout 25 Midvale Middle School theatre students in the play production class aren’t just studying Shakespeare, they’re immersing themselves in it. Students are completing four original plays they wrote and produced to enter in the world’s first online International Student Shakespeare Film Festival: ShakeMeUp Fest 2016-17, sponsored by Prague Shakespeare Company. “They’ve taken this to a whole new level and have really immersed themselves into learning about Shakespeare and developing their own plays for the competition,” theatre teacher Bethanne Lenhart said. The competition invites secondary English and drama students throughout the world to participate in not only the online film festival, but a celebration in Prague, Czech Republic, with student workshops. The top three fiction and nonfiction submissions will be recognized along with several other awards, such as best actor. “We combined it with our Make a Difference project which students are reflecting how to make a difference in the arts and its positive and negative influences. It’s allowing transformation, growth and reflection,” she said. The Make a Difference Project is part of the school’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program where students design their own project answering the question, “How will I make a difference?” and perform this culminating act of service that often reaches a greater community than just within their class or school. The class divided into teams, researched Shakespeare’s plays, wrote scripts and pitched ideas. From there, the class along with the principal, MYP coordinator and Lenhart voted on which scripts they liked best and then worked on those to create 10-minute films. While some students learned to revise the scripts, others learned how to use iMovie. They also learned about props, blocking and backdrops. “One student in my tech class created a canvas backdrop of Venice and got others to help paint it. It’s amazing. We’ll be able to use that in other productions,” she said. In one script, “Did You Know,” Shylock from “The Merchant of Venice” competes on a game show, but is discriminated against.
“He should win, but instead he is stereotyped with anti-Semitism discrimination and it shows how those real world stereotypes still are around,” Lenhart said. Another play, “Portia’s Example” shows Portia, from the “The Merchant of Venice,” pretending to be a male so she’s described as powerful. “When she reveals herself as a female, it shows how we still don’t always describe females as powerful,” she said, adding that the script also includes an original piano score. “This script recognizes strong female roles in literature.” Another play is three characters rapping in a “Renaissance Got Talent: Rappers Edition” bringing together the plays, “The Merchant of Venice,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” The final play is when historic figures come together in a book club to discuss roles that relate to Shakespeare. The students draw from “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Macbeth,” “As You Like it,” “Hamlet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Merchant of Venice.” The students began the projects in September and will submit them by the April deadline. Many also plan to include them as entries in the Utah History Day fair on March 17, Lenhart said. Students had a $50 budget per film, although Lenhart said some students didn’t spend any money. Once submitted into the ShakeMeUp contest, the films will be evaluated by another teacher and class who enters for content, performance and presentation. The past two years, Lenhart’s students have performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” “I think they are able to connect and find meaningful material in literature so it’s good for us to build where characters come from, relate them to the history and break it down so they realize Shakespeare isn’t that hard and they’re willing to try. By the time they are reading in the middle of the play, they are fluent in the language. By doing these videos, students are learning to adapt the language and how to make the characters relatable to today,” she said. A date to share the films has yet to be set. l
SPORTS
M idvalejournal.com
February 2017 | Page 17
Husky wrestling program’s growth MUSHes on By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
Your Career Begins
with Us!
The Hillcrest High School wrestling team hopes to have various members qualify for the state tournament. (Steve Carnahan/MyTopPix)
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og sled racing involves pulling a sled across wintry terrain requiring the canines to be relentless and tough. That’s exactly what Hillcrest wrestling coach Gentry Gasser wants from his wrestlers. The Hillcrest High School wrestling team is made up of 25-30 members with the team slogan of MUSH, the word used by dog sled racers to urge their dogs forward. Sled dogs are typically huskies — Hillcrest’s mascot. “[Sled dogs] are incredible. You have to control them or they’ll run themselves to death, they just want to get up and go,” Gasser said. “It seemed like something that would be good for our wrestling team to try and emulate that attitude.” Gasser, with the help of his brother, brought the MUSH mantra to the program when he took over four years ago. He said it’s evolved over the years eventually becoming an acronym for mettle, unity, service and honor. “While obviously, natural athletic ability is extremely beneficial; this is one of the few sports where I think just straight hard work makes up that ground really fast,” Gasser said. Junior Cole Underwood said for him it means “you have nothing to lose, don’t stop until you’re satisfied with what you want.” Junior Keala Mahe said MUSH applies to life as much as it does wrestling. “We don’t want to be mediocre, we want to be the best that we can be. Not just in wrestling but in school, at home, everything,” Mahe said. Gasser said the team is made up of many beginners. Students who are in their first or second year wrestling or those who simply don’t wrestle year-round. Part of the improvement he’s seen throughout the season is the development of the technical side. “It’s nice to see it kind of start to click in their heads and see them put it together on the mat,” Gasser said. Communication plays an important role with that understanding. Mahe, competes in the 220 lb. weight class, said that improved communication has stimulated the team’s growth. “Just connecting with the coach,
understanding what he wants, it’s a lot better,” Mahe said. He added it’s helped make Underwood a good wrestler. Underwood competes in the 120 lb. weight class. “Cole listens to the coaches and he’s humble. He doesn’t talk trash, he gets up, gets ready for his match and goes for it,” Mahe said. Members of the team noted how their fitness has increased throughout the season, especially after the first month. A time, Gasser said, when many students drop out due to the physical responsibilities required. Mostly body weight exercises, cardio work and explosive exercises are done to build up endurance in those first few weeks. “If I can get them through that, usually they stay,” Gasser said. Usually they start the year with around 40 members before some drop out in those first few weeks before competitions start. The biggest reward for those who survive the first month and finish the season, Gasser said, is the lesson that “they can do hard things.” Whether it’s on the mat, in the classroom, with a family situation or at work. “I want them to realize there are hard things in life that come at us all the time, and through hard work and grit and determination they can overcome those hard things,” Gasser said. He said that’s the best part of coaching for him, seeing his wrestlers recognize how difficult it can be and getting through it. With the 4A state tournament to take place on Feb. 8-9 at Utah Valley University, Gasser is hopeful to have anywhere from three to five wrestlers qualify for the tournament. Two of them, he said should be legitimate contenders to place, meaning they took fifth place or better. “If we can get a couple guys to place that’ll be a big improvement, [Hillcrest] hasn’t had anybody place in a lot of years,” Gasser said. Gasser said he’ll know this year’s season was a success if all eligible members of the team return next season. “That’s the only way we’ll ever continue to improve as a team is if we get those guys to keep coming back,” Gasser said. l
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Page 18 | February 2017
SPORTS
Midvale City Journal
Growing process: Huskies improvement has team on verge of playoffs By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
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ssistant coach Anthony Alford was finished with football practice and decided to swing by the gym before leaving. He saw two girls from the basketball team working on their shooting and ball handling. “Season hasn’t started yet but Belle (Jensen) and Olivia (Palepoi) are in the gym working on their game,” Alford remembered. “Other schools I came from I had to fight to get kids in the gym to work on their game and here they are without a coach doing it on their own.” Alford, in his first year at Hillcrest High School, was planning to coach boys again after his daughter had graduated high school. Instead, he joined the coaching staff of the girls basketball team. “I started working with them and got to know other girls and I thought, ‘maybe there was a reason I walked in the gym at that time,” Alford said. With a formula that focuses on rebounding, limiting turnovers and playing with high energy, the Huskies had built to a 7-7 (4-2 region) record at press deadline. “We’re at 500 (winning percentage) right now, but it doesn’t show how good we are. We’ve grown every week,” Alford said, adding that earlier games would have different outcomes if they played now. It is the team’s depth and flexibility, Alford said, which allows them to find an advantageous matchup, regardless of who they play. “One thing I love here is we’re an unselfish
Hillcrest Huskies basketball does an inbound play on Jan. 17 at Murray High School. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
team. It’s not about me, me, me…it’s about what can I do to help us be better,” Alford said. “It’s about what we can do to get the win and play our best game.” Team growth has been continuous since the beginning of the season, serving as a team goal since day one. For the Huskies, each day is an opportunity for improvement. “It’s a focus of ours to come into practice each day and try and get better that day, not waste reps, not waste days…we want to have fun but we want to have fun getting better,” Alford said. That continual improvement is embodied by one of those players Alford found in the gym,
junior Belle Jensen. Alford recalled the team working on a dribbling technique from the wing its first day. Two days later, she used it in a game. “Belle is a driven kid. She has high expectations for herself so it makes it really easy to coach her. You give her a move to work on and within a couple days it’s gonna be implemented, which doesn’t happen all the time,” Alford said. Jensen has been a quick learner since she started playing basketball in eighth grade. With a desire to always learn more, Jensen watches videos of her favorite players such as Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen or Dennis Rodman.
“I’ll find a player I really admire and watch how they act…I’m always looking for something new to learn,” Jensen said. Averaging over nine points through 13 games, the 6-foot-2-inch Jensen has become a force for opponents to reckon with. “When we need points, we can go to Belle, I can tell you that,” Alford said. He added they want to reach a point where when they need defensive stops, they can go to Jensen too. Throughout the season’s transition to discovering the team’s identity, the appreciation between coaches and players has grown as well. “If I have a kid who wants to learn from me and always has the right question to ask, and is intuitive about getting themselves better or how to make a play work better; that’s what you coach for, makes your job easy,” Alford said. “Coaches have been great,” Jensen said. “They’re very approachable, they’ll drop everything when I have a question so I’ll understand…they want what’s best for us.” Jensen said she has loved getting know her teammates and coaches both on and off the court. “My coaches and teammates make my whole basketball experience enjoyable,” Jensen said. The Huskies are primed to achieve their goal of qualifying for the playoffs having not been there since 2013. “If we stay together and play our way, we’ll be where we want to be,” Alford said. l
SPORTS
M idvalejournal.com
February 2017 | Page 19
UHSAA sets region alignments for 2017 By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
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he Utah High School Activities Association recently rearranged its member schools region alignments. A process they revisit every two years. They have also been forced by the Utah State Board of Education to revise its own transfer rules. “I personally like that the activities association re-evaluates the region alignments every once in a while. It helps keep the classification and school sizes close. I think it also helps with safety and spreads out travel costs,” said Riverton High School Athletic Director Daniel Henderson. Under current UHSAA rules, they realign region alignments on a two-year cycle. The proposed school classification was presented in a public meeting in November. In December, their proposal for the 2017-18 school year was approved. The biggest change in the upcoming school year will be the division’s six classifications for all sports. Salt Lake County schools were affected by the changes in various ways. Here is how the regions stack up: Region 2 will maintain some and add long time rivalries amongst neighboring schools; Hunter, Granger, Hillcrest and Kearns will be joined by Cyprus. The Pirates jumped into the 6A classification because of its adding ninth grade students from Brockbank Junior High. Region 3 will see a complete remake. West Jordan, Copper Hills and Taylorsville will welcome Riverton, Herriman and East (in football only). East is the defending 4A-state football champion. “In my opinion the realignment is a good thing. I wish they could last three years though, to help us continue and build rivalries,” said Copper Hills Athletic Director Darby Cowles. Bingham representatives argued during the alignment public
Runners start their race at the Utah High School Activities Association state meet in October. Schools including Murray and Cottonwood will be changing regions for 2017. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
hearing that placing them in Region 4 would force higher travel costs on their programs. Their requests were denied and they were placed in the prominently Utah County region with American Fork, Lone Peak, Westlake and Pleasant Grove. The 2017 6A football playoffs could be exciting. Current classification champions East and Bingham will both be in the 6A classification. East High School will compete in Region 6 for all sports except football. They will face Highland Olympus, Murray, Skyline and West (Lehi will take East’s place for football only). Region 7 will pair Alta, Brighton, Jordan, Corner Canyon, Cottonwood and Timpview.
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Smaller county schools like Providence Hall, Summit Academy, Judge Memorial and American Leadership will move to the 3A classification. “At the end of the day the UHSAA has an incredible task to make everyone happy. There is no way they can. We are content with the changes. The transfer rule change is going to be difficult. Every time I discipline a player I will wonder if he is going to leave,” West Jordan boys basketball coach Scott Briggs said. The trustee alignment meetings were overshadowed by the Utah State Board of Education’s fall ruling to open the student athletes transfer ability. The UHSAA was forced to change its guidelines in relationship to transfers. Sub-varsity athletes are now eligible to transfer at will; while varsity athletes may only transfer in defined circumstances. “I think these new rules will encourage coaches to make varsity rosters with many freshman players to prevent them from transferring,” Cowles said. From July 2015 to June 2016, the UHSAA had 1,994 student athletes request transfers, only 16 transfer requests were denied. “I feel that some of our Hunter kids go to other schools because of the wrong reasons. Sports teaches more than just the activity. It teaches integrity and character. It is now all about winning. True development of the student athlete has been lost,” said Hunter head football coach Scott Henderson. Open enrollment has forced many high school coaches to recruit its own boundary students to stay in their hometown program. “I know we lose many incoming freshman to other schools. We do not know the numbers, but we hear it a lot,” Henderson said. l
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SPORTS
Page 20 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
Seniors headlining standout season for Huskies By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
Head coach Sam Richins yells instructions to his team on Jan. 13 at Olympus High School. Richins is in his eighth year as head coach. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
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njoying one of its best seasons in years, the 2016-2017 version of the Hillcrest High School boys basketball team has defined how a program grows. Headlined by six seniors with numerous other contributors, the Huskies were 9-4 (1-3 in region) after beating Murray on Jan. 17. “We have a good mix of size and skilled guards this year which is really unique for Hillcrest,” said head coach Sam Richins, whose coached at Hillcrest for 17 years, eight as head coach. The Huskies flourished in the preseason going 8-1 with Richins attributing some of the success to a roster core filled with experience. “We came out guns a blazing…most of our improvement comes from starting the same kids for three years. We’ve progressed,” Richins said. That varsity continuity has proven vital with the Huskies making the state tournament the past three seasons. Varsity captains (all seniors) noted how the group has grown up together with senior captain Troy Brinar saying that team chemistry “is a big part why we’re having great success this year.” “You can tell when guys are comfortable together,” said senior captain Stockton Ashby. “You know where people are going to be (on the court), you trust each other, friends with each other. That helps a lot. Everybody has the sense, not that were cashing in our chips this year, but that we’ve built it up and we’re making as big of a push as we possibly can.” Having that trust comes with talent and depth, which has allowed the Huskies to exert their balance and flexibility over opponents. With four players averaging double figures in scoring, it creates a conundrum for the opposition. “One (player) will score 20 one night and another will score 20 the next (game)…It makes it hard for people to scout us,” said senior captain Karris Davis. Ashby added that versatility brings variety to their lineups. “We can go with Big John (Villanueva), Troy and me. That’s a big lineup (all are at or over 6-foot-4-inches). At the same time we can go super small with Karris, Bassel (Tekarli), Brox (Ashby), Josh (Katzenbach) and Tyson (Flores). You can flip it and match different teams.”
Junior Bassel Tekarli shoots a fade away jumper against Olympus on Jan. 13. Tekarli finished with a team-high 15 points. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
Richins said putting both Brinar and senior Villanueva in a lineup gives them an advantage. “They’re a difficult matchup… It’s very hard to guard those two at the same time. Very versatile and skilled offensive players. Our size, as crazy as it is at Hillcrest to say that, our size has to be our strength,” Richins said. That uniqueness is apt considering the special nature of this year’s team compared to previous seasons. Whether it’s close contests: “We’d be in a lot of close games but we’d always end up coming up a little bit short…coming into this season with close games, we’re finding out ways to win,” Ashby said. “We’ve been there before, we’ve all played in a lot of games, we know what’s expected to win.” Or the way they start games: “Not getting punched first, but punching the other team first. Getting a lead first,” Brinar said. “So many games we always start off from behind but this year—once you start getting ahead of the other team, kind of asserting our dominance—it kind of gives us mojo to win the game.” It all subscribes to a different vibe for the Huskies. After finishing 11-11 and qualifying for state as the fourth seed in their region last year, that won’t be good enough for this year’s seniors. “I feel like for the first time in long time. We have a confidence about ourselves about the school and coaches that when we’re at our best we can play with anyone,” Ashby said. In a region that includes 2016 state champion Olympus and 2015 state finalist Kearns, the Huskies know it won’t be easy to reach their goals. Those include wearing their home jerseys at the tournament (means they finished top two in their region), a region championship and advancing past the first round. Richins said they want to “do some damage in the state tournament.” “We have high hopes this season, we feel this could be the culmination of a lot of work for a lot of years,” he said. Davis said they have the capabilities to reach their objectives. “I say go big or go home… We just have to come out prepared every night for the specific teams that we’re playing and we’ll take it, just gotta keep working,” Davis said. Defense will be key to accomplishing those goals. “Defense
could be our greatest strength but also our greateset weakness. The thing that could push us over the top or the thing that holds us back,” Ashby said. The Huskies success on the court has inspired school spirit off it with students turning out in droves to watch both home and away. A loud contingent was present when the team fell to Olympus 50-56 on the road. A much larger section came out for the team’s region opener when they defeated Cyprus in overtime. “It was crazy, everyone was going nuts at the end. In that moment having everyone super excited about something the school could take pride in, that was really cool,” Ashby said. Seniors While normally unusual to have six seniors on a basketball team, Richins said it’s been fun having this core together for three to four years with Brinar and Ashby being four-year starters. “That’s been fun to see them grow and turn from kids to young men that’ll represent themselves well,” Richins said. Richins said each senior’s contribution to the team has been invaluable. Whether it’s the captains like Brinar’s spot up shooting (“As solid a 12-15 foot shooter in the state of Utah, I mean that.”), Ashby’s all-around game (“Stockton is the glue, does everything for us.”) and Davis bringing an element of toughness (“lets the other team know that we’re there.”). Or Villanueva, who moved to Utah from the Dominican Republic as a sophomore. Richins said he went from “wearing jeans to the first open gym and hardly being able to dribble and now being offered scholarships.” Or Katzenbach or Jaden Rogers, who Richins said “are the ultimate team guys” and “are always prepared to make us a better team.” Both Richins and the captains used the term “family” to describe the team’s closeness. “I love these kids like they’re my kids,” Richins said. Davis echoed those sentiments. “This is like my other family, we all treat each other like brothers and best friends. Coach is like our parent on the court,” Davis said. l
SPORTS
M idvalejournal.com
February 2017 | Page 21
Screaming Eagles debut at Maverik Center By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
I
ndoor football returns to the Maverik Center in West Valley. The Salt Lake Screaming Eagles begin play February 16 as members of the Indoor Football League. The team also forges in a new era of sports team management. The fans helped hire coaches, pick dancers and will call plays as part of the franchise. “We are excited and have signed 28 guys and make some cuts down to 25 guys that will lead to a great team out on the field,” said Screaming Eagles President Thom Carter. “I am more excited about how we want people to experience sports. We are trying to make history. We are allowing fans to have their voices be heard.” The fans have decided the team name, hired the coaches and with a downloadable app will be able to call the plays during the game. “This will be perfect for lots of fans. The guy who likes to bring his family to the game and buy a beer and a hot dog; the fantasy football guy that is all about the stats and lastly the video game fans who want to feel like they are playing the game,” Carter said. The Screaming Eagles have signed University of Charleston graduate Jeremy Johnson to compete for playing time at quarterback. The 6-foot-1, 197 lb. dual threat QB was a highly recruited four-star athlete from Silsbee, Texas. He originally played at West Virginia after leaving with several injuries he was finally resigned to ending his football career, but The University of Charleston found him and offered a chance. In 2015 Johnson threw for 2,170 yards, 17 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions.
University of Utah offensive lineman Junior Salt has signed to be part of a line that includes another former Ute, Siaosi Aiono and Arizona Wildcat Steven Gurrola. “We do not know what our final roster will look like, but the local standouts make me excited. Everyone has bought into this team. Our opponents are well established and winning programs. We also think our 10,000 offensive coordinators will help us figure out ways to win. The power of all of these ideas will make us a better team and organization,” Carter said. Devin Mahina, a former BYU Cougar and Washington Redskin tight end, and Utah State wide receiver Alex Wheat should provide reliable targets for Johnson. Mahina is a 6-foot-6 receiver who finished his Cougar career with 46 receptions and five touchdowns. “We feel we are empowering arm-chair quarterbacks. The people who call in on Monday mornings to the sports talk shows can now show us what they got. We live in an age of immediate access and fans are demanding this of their sports teams,” Carter said. William Macarthy was hired by the fans as the team’s first head coach. The organization narrowed down nearly 220 applicants to the best six finalists. Facebook live interviews and 38,000 votes from fans in 21 different countries finally gave Macarthy 34.9 percent of the votes. He has coached on four different indoor teams. He has been a general manager, defensive coordinator, head coach and special teams coordinator. Most recently he has been working as special teams coordinator at Monroe College in New York.
The City Journals has secured special ticket prices for our readers. Use promo code: CityJournals for special pricing.
The Screaming Eagles begin their season Feb. 16 at the Maverik Center against the Nebraska Danger. Tickets range from $5 to $85. In indoor football if a ball goes into the stands the fan keeps it. The Screaming Eagles also have contributed to improving the wireless service in the arena. The fan will not need to use cellular data to participate in the games. “The game will have something for everyone,” Carter said. l
NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
INDUSTRY
A New tax law requires the IRS to hold some refunds until February 15
Millions of taxpayers face refund delays in 2017
s many as 15 million taxpayers could have their refunds delayed until at least February 15 next year. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act now requires the IRS to hold refunds for returns claiming the earned income tax credit (EITC) and additional child tax credit (ACTC) until February 15. Approximately 30 million taxpayers claim the EITC or ACTC, with half filing early. Taxpayers should file as they normally would, even if they expect their refund will be delayed. The IRS still expects to issue most refunds in less than 21 days, although the IRS will hold refunds for EITC and ACTCrelated tax returns filed early in 2017 until February 15 and then begin issuing them. While the IRS will release those refunds on February15 many taxpayers may not see the funds deposit into their banking accounts for a few days afterward. This additional delay could be for many reasons and it is best for taxpayers to check the IRS’s Where’s My Refund website for any funding updates.
INDUSTRY
Delay helps IRS combat tax identity fraud The EITC received nationwide averaged approximately $2,500 per eligible taxpayer last year. While $65.6 billion was paid out last year, the IRS indicates that approximately one in five payments are made in error, either through fraudulent filing or confusion due to complexity in claiming the benefit. These credits are target rich for tax identity thieves and fraudsters. In fact, the EITC has one of the highest improper payment rates of the 16 “higherror” programs identified by the government. Holding taxpayer refunds until February 15, along with the mandate that employers send employee W-2s to the IRS by January 31, allows the IRS additional time to help prevent revenue lost due to identity theft and refund fraud related to fabricated wages and withholdings. It is important for taxpayers who claim these benefits to plan now for the delay. Visiting with a tax professional now can help them better understand the overall impact.
Delays just one part of tax law changes The PATH Act made dozens of changes to the tax code, including permanently extending many tax benefits, implementing renewal requirements for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), changing eligibility requirements for certain tax credits, expanding other tax benefits, increasing the cost of making mistakes and altering small business tax benefits. But its delay of millions of refunds until at least February 15 will be widely felt by early filers who in the past could expect a refund which averaged more than $3,500 in 2015 by late January. To learn more about tax law changes and refund delays due to the PATH Act, taxpayers can visit www. hrblock.com/path. [Sam Hernandez is a tax professional for H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services Sam has been NEWSprovider. FROM OUR ADVERTISERS providing expert tax advice and preparation support for taxpayers in the Salt Lake City area since 2010.]
Page 22 | February 2017
Midvale City Journal
A New Way to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
I
by
JOANI TAYLOR
remember as a child carefully picking the card from the box of Valentines that had the perfect pun on it for that particular friend. Maybe it was a picture of an Elephant, “I won’t forget you are my Valentine” or the bear that proclaims “I can’t bear to be without you.” We would carefully tear along the dotted lines, so as not to rip them, then stuff each envelope with pink and yellow hearts, that when combined, made a secret message? Then we would run around the neighborhood leaving our creations on the doorsteps of our friends and those we had a childhood crush on. I remember that no matter how much we licked the envelope it wouldn’t stay stuck shut. Later as teens, when the hormones were raging, Valentines became a day of Teddy Bears and giant candy kisses, first dates and holding hands in the movie. Then finally I found that special someone and Valentines became the day where we would present cards to each other and try to think of creative ways to express our love without spending too much. After over 3 decades of marriage though, I’m finding that few of the sentiments on cards apply and I have often considered designing my own line of valentine cards that are sold according the number of years one has been together. “Valentine, our body’s may be sagging, but my love for you never will.” Or: “I can’t wait to celebrate our love tonight at
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Monte’s Steakhouse and use the buy 1, get 1 free coupon we have.” As the years have gone by, it’s become the day to day little things that mean more to me than this designated day of love, like when my hubby brings me a cup of early morning coffee before I get out of bed or folding a load of laundry on a night when I’m working late. Valentines has really just become another day for us, so we decided to do something different and make Valentines a day of generosity. Instead of making it a selfish day of loving each other, something we already do every day, we’re turning it into a day of loving one another. We’ve discovered that by spending time together giving back is wonderful way to spread some Valentine cheer and
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bring us closer together at the same time. Here’s a few ideas we’ve had for this year: • Make arrangements to drop off Valentine goodies to an elderly care facility. While at it you could stay a while and play a game of cards or just listen while they reminisce about the person they are missing. • Contact a children’s grief facility, like the Sharing Place, and donate craft boxes or needed supplies. • Plan a date night volunteering at the Utah Food Bank or serving up a meal at your local shelter. • Instead of dinner at a restaurant, have dinner at a charity event. Many non-profits hold charity gala’s and auctions. To find them, check http:// www.valleyjournals.com/calendar or contact the charity foundation of your choice. • Give blood together. It’s something we all intend to do, make a date of it and then have a meal together afterwards. Making February 14th a day to open your heart and share generosity is a great way for those of us with or without a Valentine. What better way is there to spend Valentine’s Day? _________________________________________ Joani Taylor is the founder of Coupons4Utah.com. A website devoted to helping Utah families save time and money on restaurants, things to do and everyday needs.
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February 2017 | Page 23
M idvalejournal.com
Life
Laughter AND
by
PERI KINDER
MIDVALE
Head Over Heels
I
’m a terrible romantic. I mean that literally. I’m terrible at being romantic. When God handed out sentimentality, I was hiding in a bathroom stall eating a box of chocolate donuts. If I’d married an unfeeling psychopath that wouldn’t be a problem, but my husband could be the spokesperson for the Hallmark channel. He’ll plan Valentine’s Day like he’s competing for a spot on “The Nicholas Sparks RomanceA-Thon Reality Evening.” There’s roses and poetry and candlelight and chocolates and puppies and rainbows and glitter. And then there’s me, sitting dumbfounded saying something like, “Did Valentine’s Day come early this year?” Don’t get me wrong. I’m lucky to have a husband who remembers not only my birthday, but the time of my birth, what the #1 song was and the Oscar-winning movie from the year I was born. But by comparison, it makes me look pretty pathetic. I often return kind thoughts with chilling sarcasm—but he still hugs me and makes me feel like I’m not quite the monster I think I am. (But he should probably stop calling me FrankenPeri.) So because of all the sweetness he shows me, and because I’m still learning this whole romance thing, this is my Valentine’s letter to my hubbie: Thank you for having my back and being willing to fly into battle to defend me from the smallest slights.
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Thank you for telling me I’m beautiful even without make-up (you always look beautiful without make-up) and when my hair looks like I barely survived a rabid ferret attack. Thank you for not noticing when I have a zit the size of Mt. Rushmore hanging off my chin. Well, I’m sure you notice, but thank you for not calling me the Zit Witch. The same goes for when I have a scorch mark on my forehead from the flat iron, a gash on my shin from my razor and cuticles that look like I get manicures with a cheese grater. Thank you for telling me when the bloody parts are over during Quentin Tarantino’s films. Thank you for not taking me to any more Quentin Tarantino movies. Thank you for not noticeably rolling your eyes when I serve a meal consisting of quinoa, sweet potatoes and kale. Thank you for ordering pizza when the meal tastes like $%&*. Thank you for understanding that I hate watching romantic comedies (see paragraph #1) and appreciating when I sometimes suffer through a sob-fest of a manipulative romance. In return, thank you for occasionally watching animated films, even though you hate it as much as I despise romance. Thank you for putting up with my irritations, like having an unstable bi-polar thermostat that ranges from Arctic cold to erupting volcano. Thank you for not freaking out when I blow our budget on
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Amazon (“Where did that come from?”). Thank you for binge watching TV shows, not dragging me to parties, reading next to me in bed, laughing at my jokes, going to my yoga class and snuggling every morning before we head out to face the world. And here’s the funny thing. Despite my resistance and outer shell of cynicism, I often feel like the Grinch when his heart grows three sizes. I’ll find myself crying at movies without embarrassment (but I’ll still get offended when you offer me a tissue). You’ve taught me to appreciate sunsets, beautiful clouds and a gentle hug at the end of the day. Maybe one day I’ll change from being a terrible romantic to being terribly romantic. Probably not. But it could happen.
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