INFLATION, STAGNANT SALES TAX REVENUES PROMPT CITY COUNCIL
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
We’ve all heard variations of the famous line Mark Twain uttered some 150 years ago: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” In other words, it’s often not difficult to twist numbers to make something sound either horrible or palatable.
Case in point: your Taylorsville City Council has approved a property tax increase for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins this month. So, which of these statistics do you suppose are true:
• This tax increase is more than double the last one approved two years ago.
• Property taxes only fund about 14% of all the services and amenities Taylorsville City provides.
• At 25%, the just-approved tax hike is one of the largest ever in Taylorsville.
• The tax increase will cost the average Taylorsville homeowner about $4 per month.
• All of the above
As you’ve already guessed, the answer is “all of the above.”
“If we are just getting by – and not planning for our future – we are actually falling behind,” Mayor Kristie Overson said of the tax increase. “Yes, we could operate the city for another year without raising taxes; but we would have to trim some services. It also would not let us solve any of our future issues. In my opinion, that is too risky. I believe the city council made the right decision.”
“To me, the decision to raise taxes slightly was a no-brainer,” Councilwoman Meredith Harker added. “Our citizens love the services we provide; and they know we are cautious with tax dollars. But the city has been feeling inflation just like everyone else. We live in a great city; but we can’t keep it that way if we don’t have the funds to maintain our current services.”
Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley honored for commitment to patient safety
By Christine McSweeney
Each and every day, our incredible physicians and nurses work relentlessly to uphold our values of excellence, innovation and compassion. Central to this effort is our unyielding commitment to the safety of our patients.
That is why we are honored at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley to receive recognition from The Leapfrog Group with an “A” grade for Hospital Safety in Spring 2024. Leapfrog is a national nonprofit watchdog that assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
Our recognition of an “A” grade at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley belongs to our exceptional physicians and care teams who constantly strive to improve our care and protect patients from preventable harm. We are grateful for the dedication of all our caregivers to the safety of our patients and ensuring they are protected at every stage of their care journey.
“Everyone who works at these Mountain Region hospitals should be proud of this ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes complete dedication of everyone at every level, and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. It is our patients who illuminate not just our common spirit, but our shared mission to improve health, advance social justice, and make known the healing presence of God. We are proud to serve all in our communities, and nothing is more important than the safety of every person who comes through our doors. Together, we will achieve our vision of a healthier future for all.
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Local pianist and music composer Kristeen Polhamus is a Utah Best of State award winner
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
AUtahmother and grandmother who grew up in Kaysville – but has called Taylorsville home for some 44 years – is one of this year’s Utah Best of State award recipients.
“Winning the Best of State award is such an honor, because I feel like it’s a wonderful summary of my life’s musical and professional accomplishments,” Kristeen Polhamus said. “It also inspires me to want to do even more.”
A 1970 graduate of Davis High School, Polhamus began playing the piano a decade before that – and actually started GIVING piano lessons herself, at age 16.
“I taught piano to hundreds of students, from 1965 to 2020,” she said. “Many of my students stayed with me for five years or more. I have found people really value music in our community. Parents always seemed so pleased to get their children involved. In all those years teaching piano, I never had to advertise. Word of mouth always kept me busy.”
Polhamus received a Best of State medallion during a large gala event this spring held at the Salt Palace. Within the organization’s Arts and Performing category, her honor was for music composition.
“I have had 25 piano solos published nationally, by several different music publishing companies,” Polhamus said. “I am now one of two staff composers here in Utah for the FJH Music Company. My most recent work for them is a collection of eight Halloween-themed pieces. I write the music and lyrics. It’s called ‘Trick or Treat Gems.’ It will be available through FJH this fall.”
Polhamus earned her Davis High School Sterling Scholar honor in music in 1970 – before moving on to Weber State University, where she graduated in 1974.
After marrying her husband Gene in 1977, the couple lived for a time in Pueblo, Colorado. They moved from there to Taylorsville in 1980 – and have remained in the same home since then, now nearly 45 years.
“It was difficult for me to make the move back to Utah because I was playing professionally for the Pueblo Symphony,” Polhamus said. “One year we went on a performing tour to Germany and Austria. I played piano, organ and violin for them. It wasn’t ‘great’ money; but we were paid and it was so rewarding.”
The oldest of four siblings, Polhamus first began taking piano lessons in Kaysville at age seven. She was very comfortable with it, from the beginning.
“I’ve honestly never really had to work all that hard to play the piano,” she confesses. “I have a very good ear for music. I can hear a piece of music, and picture how it appears written (as sheet music). I’m so grateful my parents valued music. We come from a long line of pioneers who cherished music. I enjoyed it from the beginning.”
Polhamus is a former pianist for University of Utah Tanner Dance, Utah Jazz Basketball 100 Club and several area restaurants. She con-
tinues to perform regularly at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake, where she has been performing there regularly for 30 years.
At Thanksgiving and Christmas time, you can also find the Taylorsville performer playing at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
“I perform in the ‘Grand Canyon’ area at the airport,” she explained. “My husband brings my electronic keyboard up in the back of our SUV. It’s wonderful to see all the people coming and going – very uplifting. But, in the new terminal, it is also a lot of walking to get set up.”
Each Sunday she also performs professionally for two different Methodist Church congregations in the Salt Lake Valley.
“I love teaching music and sharing music with people because it enriches their lives,” Polhamus said. “Music is quite spiritual. It penetrates your soul; you feel it. Music takes you out of the world, for just a moment, connecting you to others. It provides one of the most wonderful feelings of life.”
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Polhamus has coined a word she believes best describes her deep-seeded connection to melody and lyric.
“Music is a power force which calms and soothes the soul,” she said. “I call it ‘commusication.’ A composer’s pure, true goal is to enjoy ‘commusication’ with others. That’s what I try to do.”
Since she created her own word, there’s another one Polhamus is willing to never use, as a tradeoff: “retirement.”
“As long as I keep writing and submitting quality music, my publishers will keep accepting it until I am 100 or older,” Kristeen concluded. “I will do this until I die, because I love it so much. I believe composing and playing is a way of glorifying God. Someday they’ll have to pry my fingers off the piano keys.”
Hopefully with her prestigious Best of State medallion not far away. l
TAYLORSVILLE TEAM
The Taylorsville Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Taylorsville. For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. 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. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.
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Kristeen Polhamus has written and had published dozens of original music compositions. (Courtesy Kristeen Polhamus)
Taylorsville resident Kristeen Polhamus was one of the winners in this year’s “Best of State” awards, for music composition. (Courtesy Kristeen Polhamus)
Last month, city council members voted 4-1 to approve the second property tax increase in three years. Councilman Bob Knudsen cast the lone dissenting vote. But he’s quick to add, his “no” vote was because he wanted more clarification on how the new tax revenues will be spent; not because he was necessarily opposed to asking Taylorsville homeowners to foot a little more of the bill.
“This budget is a very good, sound budget and I agree with it,” Knudsen explained. “I appreciate the work that went into it. The big reason I voted no is because this budget sets aside some funding and I have not seen an itemized list of how that money will be spent. My constituents want a few more details. But I am not opposed to the tax increase. At our most recent (volunteer citizen) Budget Committee meeting, all of the members also agreed a tax increase is necessary. I would just like a few more details. I want our residents to understand, we hold tax dollars to be precious. We work hard to never waste them.”
When you want the most accurate, hardand-fast city budget numbers you can get, you turn to Taylorsville Chief Financial Officer Scott Harrington. He says many of the answers Knudsen wants aren’t yet available.
“This property tax increase will generate less than a million dollars for the city; our nearest estimate for it now is about $912,000,” Harrington said. “One new city police officer will be funded with $74,000 of it. (TVPD Police) Chief (Brady) Cottam had requested two new officers and some additional equipment. The council compromised by approving one officer. The bulk of the tax increase ($838,000) will go into our Capital Projects fund. It will be spent on infrastructure: roads, street lights, park improvements, things like that. We aren’t sure yet what specific items will be funded with the money; but it will be in that category.”
In other words, Harrington says the itemized list Knudsen and his constituents are seeking doesn’t exist yet. But, given everything on the city’s plate, there are needs.
Harrington is also quick to explain, although a 25% tax increase may sound large, it is actually pretty modest for the average Taylorsville homeowner. Moreover, the total property tax paid by city homeowners amounts to only 14% of the Taylorsville budget.
“In round numbers, this tax increase will grow our entire property tax total from $3.6 million to $4.5 million,” Harrington continued. “But that’s barely a third of what our sales tax revenue will be. We still have three months to add in – but we estimate sales tax this year will generate $12.9 million.”
The CFO further explains, the entire 2024-25 Taylorsville City budget is about $31,835,000. In other words, nearly half of that entire budget – roughly $14.4-million –comes from various state and federal sources outside the city.
Twain would be proud of all those numbers. Bottom line: a 25% tax increase sounds like a lot… while $4 per month is expected to strike most residents as reasonable.
Some of the new tax revenues are expected to help finish up improvements to a pair of city parks in the years ahead. But the lion’s share of that work is already underway – with dollars already in hand.
One of those parks is the venerable, 7-acre Taylorsville Park (4700 S Redwood Road). The much larger (16-acre) site at 6200 S. 3200 West has not yet been officially named. Some want “Tank Park” (because it is adjacent to a pair of very large water storage tanks). Others prefer “Summit Park” (because, no matter how you approach that intersection – from the north, south, east or west – you drive uphill).
“We have contracted for $5.5 million in improvements at Taylorsville Park and an additional $3.7 million at (Tank/Summit) Park,” City Engineer Ben White said. “Strong Excavation is our contractor. They are concentrating on the south end of Taylorsville Park now. The old skatepark has been removed and will be replaced by a new one. There will also be a new road, going east from Redwood Road, to tie into the Taylorsville Senior Center parking area. That will give people easier access to the new pickleball courts south of the senior center.”
Other improvements expected within the next six months at Taylorsville Park include: new restrooms, two new pavilions, additional parking, a new basketball court and a large children’s playground.
Most of the $3.7 million earmarked for Tank/Summit Park will not be spent until next spring. So far, the only amenities at that location are the four pickleball courts constructed there last year.
“We anticipate adding restrooms, a large parking area and possibly a children’s playground in this first phase of work at (Tank/ Summit) Park,” White added. “We expect all of that work to be completed by next summer.”
A large portion of the $9.2 million being spent in this Phase I construction at the two parks is grant funding from Salt Lake County. City officials also plan to pursue additional grant dollars to help cover the cost of Phase II construction at each site. That work is expected to include more in the way of walking trails and landscaping.
“We don’t have good cost estimates for the Phase II work at the two parks; and with inflation the way it is now, estimates today might not mean much in a few years anyway,” Overson said. “We have always prided ourselves in being a pay-as-you-go city. We don’t bond for things. Again, that’s why I support the council’s decision to raise property taxes this year. If we want to consider future capital projects like park improvements, there has to be a little money to work with.”
For his part, Chief Brady Cottam is satisfied with his budget, as the Taylorsville City Police Department now enters its fourth year of existence.
“You always get told ‘no’ during budget season; so, I’m not surprised we are only receiving one new officer and not two,” Cottam said. “With this new employee, we will now have 67 sworn police officers in the depart-
ment and nine civilian employees. My officers also received a good salary increase back in January. The city council is continuing to follow through on its promise to keep our pay rates competitive with other police agencies in the valley.”
Utah law guarantees Taylorsville residents the opportunity to sound off about the
proposed $4 per month property tax hike. The city is compelled to hold a “Truth in Taxation” hearing in August. At press time, that meeting was expected to be held in city council chambers on Aug. 13. However, that date and location were not yet firm. l
These Taylorsville Park swings are still accessible to youngsters; but beyond the temporary fence behind them, the south end of the park is closed for demolition and reconstruction. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
The just-approved Taylorsville budget will fund one additional city police officer. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
This mountain of cement chunks is all that remains of the aged Taylorsville Park skateboard area. A brand new skatepark is scheduled to replace it, in the same footprint, before the end of the year. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
SLCC celebrates Juneteenth with students, community
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
For the third straight year, the Juneteenth holiday was celebrated at Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville. Members of the school’s Black Student Union joined with faculty and public supporters on June 20 to commemorate the day when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and finally recognized, two years later, by the state of Texas. It ended slavery in the United States.
There were several guest speakers, a performance by The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir, other music that included Jazz and R&B artists, vendor booths from local black-owned businesses, and a free BBQ dinner from Big Bones Barbeque with all the fixings. Attendees sat on blankets or brought
chairs to face the stage and enjoy the program, which was emceed again this year by KUTV 2 news anchor Jamie McGriff.
“One common misunderstanding is that Juneteenth marks when the slaves were freed, but that is not true,” SLCC Professor Jerri A. Harwell said. “Juneteenth celebrates what is believed to be when the last group of enslaved African Americans learned they had been freed years earlier.
“Celebrations initially began in 1866, but in 2021, after decades of advocating for it to be a national holiday, the United States made Juneteenth an official federal holiday; Utah’s 2022 legislative session made it a state holiday. This year’s celebration marks SLCC’s third annual celebration.”
The newest federal holiday, Juneteenth,
also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is celebrated on June 19. Its name comes from a combination of the month of June and the date 19, which was the date that the slaves on Galveston Island, Texas learned that they had been freed. We know from US history that Lincoln issued two
Emancipation Proclamations, one in 1863 which freed all the slaves in the rebellion states, and the second one that ended slavery for all in 1865. l
The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir performed during the Juneteenth celebration on the SLCC campus.
Faculty and members of the community joined for the event on the SLCC campus.
Big Bones Barbeque offered BBQ dinners for those in attendance.
The SLCC Black Student Union hosted the event for the third straight year.
Gary Schlichter, MD
Maid Brigade 385-350-0001
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Steven Connors is President/CEO of Maid Brigade, a professional residential and commercial cleaning company that includes move-in/out cleanings, regular cleanings, and one-time cleanings of homes and offices. The company opened in October 2023 and is dedicated to providing a high level of cleaning services.
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We strive to make customers happy from their rst contact with our company, the friendliness of our cleaners, and the level of cleaning we provide. With the most advanced cleaning system available, your home or o ce is cleaned with no harsh residues, fragrances, dyes, or odors and no harm to you, your family and pets, your home, or the environment.
What problem do you solve for your clients?
We provide our customers with a clean space and the gift of time. They can take the time they would have spent cleaning their home or o ce and use that time to enjoy all Salt Lake and Utah has to o er, spend time with friends and family, or engage in their favorite hobby.
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We have customers who are in their rst job after completing school and retired customers. We have customers who live alone and customers who have several kids and multiple generations living together. We have customers with larger homes and customers who live in one-bedroom apartments. We have customers who have eight pets and customers who have none. We have customers who have never used a professional cleaning service before and customers who have
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If you have a home or o ce, we can help provide you with a cleaner space to live and work while providing you with more time to do something you love or spend time with someone you love.
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There are several factors customers use to decide. First is trust. Customers welcome us into their private space and that takes a level of trust. All our employees take this trust seriously. The customer, and their satisfaction, is the center of what we do. All our cleaners are W-2 employees who have passed a background check. We are fully bonded and
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Anything else you would like our readers to know about your business?
In the eight months we’ve been in business, we’ve given back to the community with our time and e ort. We volunteered at local elementary schools, giving out candy at Trunk-orTreat Events or reading books to students for Read-AcrossAmerica Day. We worked with Millcreek City to sort coats from the winter coat drive and we participated in Cleaning for a Reason, a national program where we donate free home cleanings to cancer patients.
LARKIN MORTUARY HONORS
PIONEER HERITAGE
Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885. Today, with seven generations of history serving Utah families, four mortuaries, cremation facilities and two cemeteries, Larkin Mortuary remains locally family owned and managed.
Larkin’s vertically integrated services also provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, along with beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures.
LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
Kearns Library offers Rainbow Alliance for LGBTQ teens and allies
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Designed to celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging, the LGBTQ+ program at the Salt Lake County Library offers a welcoming space for teens of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Providing an array of activities, resources, and support services, the Kearns Library’s Rainbow Alliance fosters understanding while creating a supportive environment where participants feel valued and accepted.
The County Library’s marketing and communications manager Sara Neal said the program not only enriches the community but also strengthens the library’s role as a place of inclusivity and social connection.
“Our goal as a library is to offer spaces for anybody in the community and that develops in different ways,” she said. “For some locations, it is having programming that is tied to your specific language. For other branches, it’s tied to being a new parent and having resources there. In the case of the [Kearns] Library, especially since it’s close to a junior high school and a high school, it’s having a place where you can be comfortable with your friend.”
The Kearns Rainbow Alliance meets each Wednesday, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Kearns Library (4275 W. 5345 South) in the
meeting room. All tweens, teens and allies are invited to participate, forge friendships, learn a new craft and discuss important issues.
Attendees enjoy creating things together at the club. Activities include string art, pom pom garlands and trivia games. The Rainbow Alliance website (found through the Salt Lake County Library’s website at slcls.libnet) lists artists, actors, musicians and others who identify as LGBTQ+. The site also suggests reading material, movies, music and other media that is LGBTQ+ friendly. There is also a listing of LGBTQ+-friendly businesses in Salt Lake County.
“I think the entire point of being human is finding people we can relate to, but it’s also finding differences that help us expand our worldview,” Neal said. “So I think that anytime libraries have a chance to share information it helps you learn something new about the world around you and interact with it in a different way.
“I think the focus is not just our queer kids, it is for anybody. So it’s for kids who are queer, it’s for kids who are straight, it’s for kids who have friends who are queer and they just might want to know more about how they can support their friends.” l
The Kearns Library’s Rainbow Alliance is open to teens of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and their allies. (Stock photo)
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are elated about a new event coming to Centennial Plaza this month. Beginning July 9, Taylorsville will have its own Farmers Market happening every Tuesday this summer.
We hope you will come to the plaza to shop for fresh produce and other wares, such as baked goods, jams and jellies, herbs, essential oils, goat-milk soaps and more, depending on the night. The Taylorsville Farmers Market, run by Good4Life Markets, will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sept. 24.
We wanted to bring a Farmers Market to Taylorsville as another way to gather at the plaza, which was built as a “living room for the community.” Truly, Centennial Plaza is my favorite gathering place in the city. It is such a wonderful spot, especially with the open-air gallery of sculptures that now surround it as part of our Plaza +ART program and the fun, free Starry Nights @the Plaza events featuring live music and the Food Truck League food trucks on Friday nights.
Now with a Farmers Market on Tuesdays, Centennial Plaza is quickly becoming an inviting ‘third space,’ where we can gather as a community to shop, attend a free concert, grab a bite at the food trucks or simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings
We are also looking forward to working with Herriman-based Good4Life Markets, which has 450 vendors to draw from for our market. The company also operates markets in Saratoga Springs, West Valley City and Herriman, with a mission of providing communities with fresh, locally sourced produce in support of local farmers and businesses. The market will be open rain or shine on Tuesdays, making it easy to stop by after work or other activities to pick up some fresh produce.
The vendors are local farmers, artisans and small businesses who share that commitment to quality agriculture, food and other products. Vendors interested in participating can nd an application online at good4lifemarkets.com. On the second Tuesday of the month, Good4Life also will be holding a Paws at the Park event, when pets can participate in a photo contest to win a prize.
The opening of the Taylorsville Farmers Market follows input from recent citywide surveys, in which residents listed it as one event they would like to see added in the city. We listened and are happy that this wish is now happening.
So, meet me at the plaza! I know where I’ll be on Tuesday nights this summer.
—Mayor Kristie S. Overson
WHAT’S INSIDE – JULY 2024
Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2
Council Corner, Page 3
TVPD News, Page 4
Heritage Remembrances, Page 7
Environment, Page 8
Carriage Square Celebrates Renovation with Grand Re-Opening
See what’s new at Carriage Square! For the past year, the shopping center at the corner of Redwood Road and 4100 South has undertaken a major renovation project and it is now complete. The renovation has included demolition and repaving of the entire parking lot, the planting of new landscaping throughout, the installation of an irrigation system to support those trees and shrubs, the addition of curbs and gutters for ADA compliance, and the widening of sidewalks and patio areas to support outdoor seating along building fronts.
“This is such a great opportunity for our businesses in Taylorsville,” Mayor Kristie Overson said at the center’s recent Grand Re-Opening event on May 11. “We are delighted to celebrate with you.”
Since 2019, the Carriage Square Property Owners Association (CSPOA) Board and the City of Taylorsville have been working with state and federal government agencies to secure Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to renovate the center. With those grants obtained, construction work began in spring 2023.
In conjunction with the project, the City of Taylorsville has featured several of the Carriage Square shops over the past year in a series of articles called "See What's New” that you can read at www.taylorsvilleut.gov
The shopping center is made up of retail stores, restaurants and other businesses. It is home to about 50 individual business owners, and in many ways truly does represent the American Dream with those owners coming from at least 10 di erent areas of the world.
Emergency ...................................................................................................911
Police Department ...............................................................
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Utah 211 resource network 211
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988
Poison Control Center
1-800-222-1222
Animal Control Shelter ....................................................... 801-965-5800
Animal Control After House Dispatch ........................... 801-840-4000
Building Inspection 801-955-2030
Chamber West (Chamber of Commerce) 801-977-8755
Fire Department
801-743-7200
Gang Tip Line 385-468-9768
Garbage/Recycle/GreenWaste Pick-up ........................ 385-468-6325
(Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling)
Granite School District
Health Department
385-646-5000
385-468-4100
Highway Conditions (from cell phone) 511
Park Reservations ................................................................. 385-468-7275
Public Works (Salt Lake County) ....................................... 385-468-6101
Dominion Energy 800-323-5517
Rocky Mountain Power 888-221-7070
Salt Lake County Recycling/Land ll 801-974-6920
Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District................. 801-968-9081
Taylorsville Food Pantry ..................................................... 801-815-0003
Taylorsville Senior Center 385-468-3370
Taylorsville Code Enforcement
801-955-2013
Taylorsville Justice Court 801-963-0268
Taylorsville Library ............................................................... 801-943-4636
Taylorsville Recreation Center ......................................... 385-468-1732
Swimming Pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 801-967-5006
Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center 801-281-0631
UDOT Region 2
801-975-4900
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) 801-743-3882
EVENTS
JULY 2024
Every Friday night through Sept. 13
Starry Nights @the Plaza. The food trucks arrive at 5 p.m. and most music starts at 7. See www.taylorsvilleut.gov for the full schedule and details about what’s happening each night.
July 4 – all day
Independence Day. City o ces are closed for the holiday.
July 8 – 6:30 p.m.
The Taylorsville-Bennion Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers has invited the Days of '47 Royalty to speak @ the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center. See accompanying ad on this page.
July 8-13 – 7:30 p.m.
Disaster! @ the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. The Taylorsville’s Arts Council’s summer musical runs six nights! Tickets are only $10.
July 9 – 5 p.m.
New at Centennial Plaza, the Taylorsville Farmers Market opens and runs every Tuesday through Sept. 24. See www.taylorsvilleut.gov for details.
July 24 – all day
Pioneer Day. City o ces are closed for the holiday.
UPCOMING: Aug. 2 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Night Out Against Crime @ Centennial Plaza, 2600 W. Taylorsville Blvd.
Have some fun and learn ways to stay safe! See ad on Page 3.
Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov
The Tayorsville-Bennion Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers presents
Meet the Days of '47 Royalty
Monday, July 8 • 6:30 pm
Speakers: SUP President Nate Pearce & President Elect Val Parrish Keynote Address and Performances: Days of '47 Royalty
All are invited. Free. Refreshments.
July 8-13
Taylorsville Arts Council presents DISASTER!
August 3 JENNY OAKS BAKER Violin and Cello Performance Workshop Concert
August 9-10
Salt Lake County Arts & Culture and Utah Arts Alliance presents WESTSIDE CULTUREFEST
COUNCIL CORNER
By Council Member Anna Barbieri
Taylorsville is Where Community Connects this Summer!
Summer is lled with fun in Taylorsville. We loved celebrating Taylorsville Dayzz and look forward to more city events this month and next:
Green Committee’s Annual Cleanup Day Collected Tons of Waste
This year’s annual Cleanup Day saw the collection of literally tons of waste for recycling and safe disposal, and for the third year in a row, the Taylorsville Football team did yeoman’s work in helping to make the event a great success.
“They have truly made this event even more successful than it has been in the past," said Taylorsville Code Enforcement Manager Kathleen Richins. In fact, this year saw record attendance even though the event was an hour shorter to save money on the time vendors needed to be there for collection.
In all, the Green Committee collected the following this year:
• 2 tons of electronic waste
• 8.31 tons of bulk waste
• 4.25 tons of green waste
• 330 pounds of aerosol cans
• 790 pounds of non-hazardous cleaners (car wax, carpet shampoo, Pine-Sol-type cleaners)
• 240 pounds of bulked fuels (gasoline, diesel and other ammable liquids)
• 714 pounds of toxic/poisonous substances (pesticides, herbicides, etc.)
• 1,309 pounds of oil-based paint and liquids like turpentine and linseed oil
• 244 pounds of additional miscellaneous substances
• 1,280 pounds of recycling
• 600 pounds of glass
• 160.4 pounds of prescription drugs
“We are so grateful for all the volunteers and vendors who make this event possible each year,” Richins said. “We also greatly appreciate our residents for their work to recycle, reuse and repurpose.”
TVPD Officers among Cyclists in National Police Unity Tour
Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.
TVPD’s Sgt. Neal, Det. Winslow and O cer Berg pedaled alongside thousands of fellow o cers, as they rode 250 miles from New Jersey to the solemn grounds of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of law enforcement o cers killed in the line of duty, with each officer riding for a speci c fallen o cer. The tour, which took place this year in May, reminds us to never forget the bravery and sacrifice of those who gave all, even their lives, in service. We also honor the families and friends who still bear the weight of loss and hope they may nd some solace in this special remembrance of their loved ones.
You can nd more information about the tour, the National Law Enforcement Memorial, National Police Week and Utah's fallen officers online at odmp.org, nleomf.org and policeunitytour.com
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to O cer Sargent and GRAMA Coordinator Hansen, TVPD’s latest Employees of the Month!
O cer Sargent has more than ve years of experience in law enforcement. He began his career with the West Valley Police Department prior to hiring on with TVPD, where he has worked for more than two years. O cer Sargent has an associate’s degree in Spanish. He has served in law enforcement as a patrol officer, field training officer, public order unit officer and background investigator. His exemplary service to our community has earned him the Medal of Valor and the Police Star.
Nominated by fellow Officer Gerber, O cer Sargent is praised as an “intelligent, hardworking o cer,” whom he relies on nearly every shift. O cer Gerber explained that O cer Sargent’s uent Spanish and translation abilities are invaluable to o cers and citizens alike. While translation services are available in all languages, having an o cer as an inperson interpreter is bene cial. O cer Gerber also recognized O cer Sargent’s “thorough investigative skills, sound decision-making, strong work ethic and personable nature with the citizens we serve.”
In his spare time, O cer Sargent enjoys gol ng, y shing, hiking, camping, hunting, recreational shooting and simply spending time with his family.
GRAMA Coordinator Hansen has worked for TVPD for almost a year and a half and has nearly 11 years in law enforcement. She began her career with the Uni ed Police Department, where she worked as a part-time records employee while obtaining her master’s degree in criminal justice. Her experience includes working in various roles as part of law enforcement support services, including records management, technical services, CJIS coordinator and GRAMA coordinator.
So, what is GRAMA, you may ask? GRAMA stands for Government Records Access and Management Act. A GRAMA Coordinator is somebody who manages the requests from the public, victims, suspects, or media for access to government records. Essentially, they're responsible for overseeing the handling and dissemination of government information in accordance with relevant laws and regulations to ensure we strike the balance between police transparency and individual citizens' privacy.
Chief Cottam selected GRAMA Coordinator Hansen as Employee of the Month for her ability to multitask, as well as the innovation she has brought to TVPD to e ciently and timely manage records. When not busy reading reports or watching hours and hours of police body cam footage, she enjoys shing with her friends, reading or crafting. She loves animals and is the proud owner of two Shih Tzus (Ursula and Gidget), a tortoise (Kuzco), two gerbils (Sweetie and Nibbles) and a leopard gecko (Fiona).
Congratulations to both Employees of the Month and thank you for being a part of Team Taylorsville!
Carriage Square is Defined by Diversity, Family
Looking for a unique shopping experience catered with kindness and to the needs to each customer? Look no further than Carriage Square.
Located at the corner of Redwood Road and 4100 South, the shopping center is made up of 50 multi-cultural owners, a number of whom are Vietnamese, Chinese, Hispanic or Polynesian. Many of the shops are also family-owned, allowing customers to experience a diversity and closeness when visiting.
“Carriage Square is truly a gem in our city,” said Mayor Kristie Overson.
The shopping center recently underwent a year-long renovation (see the cover story of this section), and its Grand Re-Opening event celebrated the nished project in May.
"The center is lled with fun shops and restaurants that are locally owned," Mayor Overson said. "They are a vibrant part of our Taylorsville community, and we are hopeful that the renovations will increase business there as customers explore what’s new at Carriage Square.”
Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES
Taylorsville Couple Tells of Adventures Growing Up
This month’s article highlights the Marvin and Lou Jean Blake Steadman family.
Marvin L. Steadman was the eighth child of 10, who was born April 26, 1926, to Walter T. Steadman and Mary Nora Steadman. His story and that of his wife, Lou Jean Blake Steadman, are told in their own words, as follows:
“I was born at my parents’ home,” Marvin Steadman relates. “My siblings are Albert, Chris, Louis, Mildred, Beatrice, Minnie, Phyllis and Miriam. I remember as a child, I along with some of my siblings would walk from our house on 2200 West and 6400 South to 7880 S. Redwood Road. We would walk there to be able to watch a movie, which was 10 cents.
“I recall when I was about 7, one of my daily chores was to gather the chicken eggs. One day, my older brothers, Louis and Chris, said they would give me 50 cents if I would eat a raw egg. I did it. It was awful, but I did receive the money from my brothers. In my teens, I even tried bull-riding.”
In her life history told by herself in January 2010, Lou Steadman states:
“I was born Dec. 9, 1927, to Joseph Elijah and Delta Cox Blake in Hinckley, Utah, attended by Dr. Bird. I was the 12th and last child born to my parents. My siblings are Lula, Fern, Ferron, Charlotte, Cora, Laurence, Vera, Delaun, Irene, Easton and Ralph Blake. We had a miracle in our family when I fell in a ditch and nearly drowned. My collar bone was broken, and my whole family was praying like mad and thanking the Lord for His help. Marvin and I have eight children: Brent Marvin Steadman, Wayne Louis Steadman, Marva Jean Steadman Anderson, Lynn Jay Steadman, LaVon Steadman Allen, Glen Joseph Steadman, Jolene Steadman Berret and Kaylene Steadman Garrett.”
You can learn more about the Steadman family and the histories of many other Taylorsville residents at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, 1488 W. 4800 South. Drop on by!
Don’t Miss These Library Events
The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of July. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:
SUMMER READING — Taylorsville Explorer's Club — July 1 to July 31. Taylorsville Explorer's Club is a collection of summer adventures and challenges using the Goosechase app!
SPLISH SPLASH STORYTIME — Fridays at 11 a.m. Meet at the Taylorsville Outdoor Pool for songs and splashing fun. Taylorsville Library and the Taylorsville Recreation Center are collaborating to o er free summer story-times in the pool for families. The activity is free. Attendees re-entering the pool after the program are subject to the regular fee. This will be in the shallow beach area. Children 2 and under must wear a swim diaper. Children 5 and under must be within arm's reach of a parent or guardian. All children must be accompanied by a grownup.
VIRTUAL ADULT LECTURE | D-Day: The Finest Hours of the U.S. Military — Monday, July 8, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibraryorg/LectureSeries. Col. Stephen C. Hall will share compelling stories of the U.S. military on June 6, 1944, and why events unfolded the way they did.
TEEN SUMMER WATER FIGHT — Tuesday, July 9, 1 p.m. Celebrate summer with a water ght outside on the grass. Wear clothes that can get wet and bring a towel to dry o . Bringing your own water gun is encouraged, but some will be available.
SELF-IMPROVEMENT BOOK CLUB — Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m. Meet other readers interested in self-improvement and self-discovery in this monthly book club. July's book is “How Not to Age” by Michael Greger.
TABLETOP GAME DAY — Saturday, July 13, 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of tabletop games! Play your favorites or explore new games provided by High Gear Hobby.
FOLK TALES & ALIENS | In Partnership with Wasatch Theatre Company (WTC) — Monday, July 15, 6:30 p.m. WTC will take young audiences through traditional folk tales reimagined and, of course, aliens — because who doesn't love aliens?
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE — Monday, July 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Give blood to help others. Schedule your appointment: redcrossblood.org or 1.800.RED.CROSS
HOLIDAY CLOSURES — Thursday, July 4, Independence Day; Wednesday, July 24, Pioneer Day
TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER
4743 S. Plymouth View Drive
July Activities
Stronger Memory: A brain health program that consists of simple daily activities to engage the working memory and trigger brain activity for those with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. Class is at 2 p.m. in classroom B and begins Monday, July 8, running through Sept. 16. Registration is required.
Poetry Workshop: Join the SLCC Writing Center for a poetry workshop on Thursday, July 18, at 10 a.m. in classroom B.
Walk with Ease: This is a six-week workshop designed for those with arthritis or who would like to become more active. Meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the sewing room for stretching before heading outside for the walk. Class runs Monday, July 29, through Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Registration is required; Call 385-468-3295 to or see the front desk.
Computer Class: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Registration is required. Call 385-468-3370 or see the front desk.
The Senior Center will be closed Thursday, July 4, for Independence Day and Wednesday, July 24, for Pioneer Day.
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY
JULY UPDATES
Dispose of Fireworks Carefully
As we prepare for an exciting evening of celebration and the brilliant displays of reworks, please remember a few key elements to rework disposal and safety.
• After fireworks have been used, set spent reworks aside in a resafe container to allow the materials to cool completely. If possible, place spent bodies in a small amount of water to reduce the chances of flareups or unintended res.
• Unfortunately, cardboard casings on reworks cannot be recycled due to contamination from chemicals and residues, as well as the nature of multiple materials on one item. Dispose of them in your regular black garbage can when materials have cooled completely.
• Explore ways to repurpose unused reworks or save them for your Pioneer Day celebrations.
• Consider alternatives to traditional reworks, such as laser light shows to reduce your environmental impact.
New Move-In Box Pickups
Just moved into your new place and are overloaded with cardboard moving boxes? WFWRD o ers a one-time box pickup for new residents in the district! Visit their website to fill out a service request and they will schedule to pick up your boxes. Visit wasatchfrontwaste.org/ form/box-pickup-request.
To request a box pickup, you must be a new resident of the property. Plastic packaging, Styrofoam and other non-recyclable materials other than tape must be removed from the boxes. Additionally, boxes must be broken down, attened and stacked in a 4-by-4-foot pile.
FARMERS
TBID Installs New Water Meters
Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District has contracted with Meterworks to replace water meters for all of its customers. The replacement project was started last year and nearly 75% of meters have already been replaced.
The remaining 25% are expected to be replaced over the next three or four months. The new meters replace aging ones that are nearing the end of their useful life, and they allow the district and customers to utilize new technology to see and analyze water consumption. A door hanger will be left when your meter is replaced. A map and additional information, including details about an online portal, is available at www.tbid.gov/meter.
Continuous Flow?
TBID also advises customers to check for leaks, particularly at this time of year with landscape sprinkler stop-and-waste valves or sprinkler valves in use. If you received a notice in the message box on your bill, it means the water meter has registered a continuous ow of water to your property for more than 15 consecutive days. This may indicate a leak in your system, small or large, that is increasing your usage. Take the time this summer to nd and repair any leaks in your plumbing system, which will help you save water and money.
If you have any questions, please contact Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District by calling 801-968-9081 or visiting www.tbid.org. Follow TBID on Facebook and Twitter.
City, county and federal agencies working together to assist Taylorsville residents dealing with raccoons
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Taylorsville resident Ken Stevens celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary last summer with a bandaged finger – along with the unpleasant memory of the several rabies shots he had just received. Ugh – “rookies!”
Now, a year later, Stevens is no rookie. He’s trapped about three dozen raccoons in his back yard near the canal that just nicks the corner of his property. And his bitten finger count remains at one.
“It was one of the very first raccoons I trapped; I picked up the cage wrong and he nipped my finger,” Stevens explained. “I haven’t made that mistake again.”
The raccoon was tested and found not to have rabies. But before the test results were back he received “seven or eight shots, including several directly into the bitten finger. That hurt!”
At a recent Taylorsville City Council meeting, elected officials voted unanimously to change the way trapped raccoons (and the occasional skunk) are handled. For starters, residents like Stevens will no longer have to get anywhere near the trapped animals.
City council members approved a $9,394 (for one year) expenditure to participate in the Urban Wildlife Assistance Program. Salt Lake County Animal Services coordinates registrations with several cities, from Salt Lake to Draper, Magna to Brighton. But the program is actually operated by the United States Department of Agriculture.
In other words, there are city, county and federal people all stirring the pot. Officials say the USDA wildlife assistance program has been around for years. This is the first time Taylorsville has ponied up the money to participate.
So, the question arises: Are raccoons a new or growing problem in the city? They are at Stevens’ home, near 4800 W. 3200 South.
“We’ve lived here nearly 50 years, since 1977, and have never had raccoons until last
summer,” he said. “I’ve trapped 35 raccoons in my yard – and I know of at least six more that have been caught elsewhere in our neighborhood. The raccoons were stealing our cat food at night. I’m not sure why the problem has just started, after all these years. They are constructing new homes in the area. That might be driving the raccoons over here.”
Taylorsville’s participation in the USDA program began July 1 and runs through the city’s fiscal year, to next June 30. City officials can then renew the interlocal cooperative agreement for additional years. The $9,394 fee is based on the city’s population. Salt Lake and West Jordan pay more – Midvale and Bluffdale, less. The fee has nothing to do with the actual number of animals trapped within each city.
Until this month, trapped raccoons were picked up by West Valley City-Taylorsville Animal Services. Director Melanie Bennett is pleased with the change.
“My officers have picked up 80 to 100 trapped raccoons from residents’ cages over the past year,” she said. “I like this change (to USDA field operators taking over the duty) because it frees my officers up to respond to higher priority calls. Taylorsville has made a wise move. This allows us to better serve our citizens.”
Although her staff will no longer pick up trapped raccoons, the animal shelter does still have several raccoon traps available to rent. A $75 deposit is required. That fee is waived when the trap is returned, undamaged. There is also no rental charge for the first week a homeowner has a trap. After that, the cost is $2 per day.
“Spring has typically been our busiest time for residents to call, asking us to pick up trapped raccoons,” Bennett said. “That’s the time of year when younger raccoons are being taught by their parents how to find food. Win-
ter, obviously, is the slowest time. The best way to avoid attracting animals is to not leave pet food outside overnight.”
Salt Lake County Animal Services Office Manager Carrie Sibert coordinates the cities’ participation in the USDA Wildlife Assistance program.
“This agreement with USDA definitely helps,” Sibert said. “(Salt Lake County Animal Services) are experts in domesticated animals –but not wildlife. It’s very nice to have USDA do this. They are helpful in educating people about how to keep raccoons and skunks away from their homes. This program is available for any city that wants to participate.”
Working out of the Salt Lake USDA office, Cjay Butters is the wildlife biologist who coordinates the Urban Wildlife Assistance Program for his federal agency.
“This program has probably been around since the 1990s; I’ve been supervising it since 2016,” he said. “We remove hundreds of raccoons and skunks every year. They are found everywhere: in business complexes, near the Jordan River and canals, in storm drains, wooded areas. We don’t trap the animals ourselves. But once people trap them, we save homeowners from having to pay a private pest control company to come pick the animals up.”
The Feds can’t recommend a particular trap; but they do say “bigger is better.” Animals are more likely to enter a trap that does not feel confining. Standard traps are available at stores like IFA or Home Depot and, of course, online.
“Raccoons and striped skunks are not protected animal species; no licenses are required to trap them,” Butters continued. “However, it is against state law to relocate the live animals.”
And before you ask, no – USDA is not relocating live animals either. They aren’t going to “live on a farm, upstate.”
“Our city council considered joining this program a while ago, but decided not to at that
time,” Taylorsville City Administrator John Taylor said. “But the problem has grown increasingly worse. We have a few residents calling us regularly to report problems. The council decided now was a good time to take action. I’m sure they will review the results next year before deciding whether or not to renew.”
The USDA recommends anyone interested in setting raccoon traps contact their office first. Preregistration into the program is not required; but getting a few tips before baiting that first trap is suggested. You can reach the Urban Wildlife Assistance Program at 385-419-3405.
Now an expert raccoon trapper, Stevens can count a couple of suggestions on his no-longer-injured fingers.
“They love Hostess Zingers so we use those for bait,” he said. “And keep your fingers out of the cage once you have one trapped.” l
Taylorsville resident Ken Stevens has trapped about three dozen raccoons in his yard in less than a year. (Photo courtesy Ken Stevens)
Humane, live-catch raccoon traps like this are available to rent at the West Valley-Taylorsville Animal Shelter. (Photo courtesy WVC-Taylorsville Animal Services)
Taylorsville resident Ken Stevens trapped this raccoon in his yard recently, along with more than 30 others before it, in less than a year. (Photo courtesy Ken Stevens)
Several humane raccoon traps are available to rent at the Taylorsville-West Valley City Animal Shelter. (Photo courtesy WVC-Taylorsville Animal Services)
That vivid white stripe on the black animal inside the cage tells this member of the USDA team he’s dealing with a potentially aromatic skunk – not a raccoon. (Photo courtesy USDA)
As we launch into Spring of 2024, we are thrilled to be celebrating the 30th Anniversary for Replenish.
The beginnings of Replenish came about as a part of a conversation between Connie Cannon and Peter Lassig. Connie, in questioning Peter, said she was looking for something that would help the plants in her yard thrive and perform better. At the time, Peter, whose name is legendary in the horticulture industry throughout the country, was serving as the Head Gardener for Temple Square. He held this position for well over 30 years.
Following some counsel and suggestions from Mr. Lassig, the Cannons went to work searching for a formula of composted manure. Through great effort, scanning sources in Utah and Idaho, they eventually came up with the basic formula for Replenish. Initially, they would have a dump truck load dropped in their driveway. Their children were hired to bag the compost and deliver it to their neighbors and others in the area. Eventually the demand for their compost outgrew their driveway and their ability to meet the needs of all who wanted it for their yards and gardens. At that point the Cannons created the company known as ‘Replenish the Earth Products’. After building and running Replenish for 9 years, the company was sold to Mike Nitz, an employee of the Cannons, and Greg Bettin-
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
son, a committed customer who fully believed in the value and benefits of Replenish Compost. Wanting to expand the offerings of the Company, they changed the name to ‘Replenish Landscape Garden Products’.
For the past twenty-one years, Mike and Greg have grown the business and built a customer base of over 21,000 loyal customers along the Wasatch Front and beyond. Their business model has been to find the highest quality landscape materials and offer them along with what they believe to be the very best compost available anywhere. Replenish is proud to carry an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Combined with what we hope will always be friendly, and efficient customer service, we enter this fourth decade with a sincere desire to continue to build the business and introduce an ever-expanding customer base to the benefits of Replenish Compost, and all of the other top-qual-
ity products we carry.
To you, our loyal customers, we extend a heartfelt thank you for your business, and your loyalty to us and our products over these many years. May the spring season bring happiness to you and your loved ones and may the beauty of your yard and garden bring added joy and peace in your life.
Any of the Replenish products: barks, colored wood mulches, playground chips, outstanding soil blends, box garden mixes, professional planters mix, decorative rocks, gravels, and sand are available for pickup at our Murray Yard, ei-
ther in bulk or bag. We will load your open truck or trailer, or small bags in your vehicle. We also deliver small bags of bulk products (loose), or in the Super Big Bag (1 cubic yard) to homes and businesses from Brigham City to Price. Make your garden and yard work a successful, rewarding, and enjoyable experience. You can pick up any of the products in bulk or bag at our yard in Murray; 4660 South 200 West. (no appointment needed). Visit our website at Replenishcompost.com; or call Replenish Landscape Garden Products at: (801) 252-5962 for any questions you may have.
With exit doors blowing off, landing gear falling on neighborhoods, wings ripping apart and engine covers shooting into the skies, you’d think airlines would be handing out free puppies and hundred-dollar bills, trying to convince people to support air travel. You’d be wrong.
Instead of lowering ticket prices (in your dreams), dropping baggage fees (you’re bonkers) or making flights more comfortable (ROFL), airlines double down on lazy, expensive service.
Even when Southwest Airlines (whose motto is “Sit Down and Shut Up”) was fined $140 million for leaving thousands of holiday passengers stranded, the industry knows we will travel. And we’ll pay any price.
If airlines have open seats, and the flight takes off in a week, instead of offering reduced prices, ticket costs rise. Once, after we purchased airline tickets, we got an alert that prices had jumped $1,000 per ticket. That’s bananas!
Recently, my husband and I flew Hawaiian Airlines for the first time. With its slogan, “Well, you could just drive to Honolulu,” we didn’t expect great service, and we weren’t disappointed.
We settled into our six-hour flight with its panic-inducing, claustrophobic seating, only to find movie screens weren’t provided.
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Fight or Flight
However, we could download the airline’s app to watch movies on our phones, as long as it was downloaded an hour before boarding. So, as soon as time travel is invented, I can go back, download the app and have access to movies for our flight.
We left early in the morning and breakfast sandwiches were offered to passengers with normal digestive systems. If your body treats gluten like poison, you get to starve or purchase a box of gluten-free crackers and hummus. I’ve learned to pack snacks because, like the United Airlines motto states, “Suck it up. We’re not your mom.”
As we flew through the skies, we played games like, “Is it turbulence or did we just lose the landing gear?” and “Annoy Fellow Passengers.” I think I won that when I reclined my seat from 90 degrees to 95 degrees. The woman behind me sighed like a passive-aggressive parent who was not mad, just extremely disappointed.
On the way home from the Big Island
of Hawaii, we ended up running through the Honolulu airport because our connecting flight was late. We dashed to our terminal, which is not the best way to end a vacation, especially after eating your weight in kalua pork and fish tacos.
Net profits for the airline industry are set to hit more than $30 billion this year. Even Boeing (“Safety is Our 15th Priority”) knows it can install faulty parts, disregard safety inspections and hunt down whistleblowers because people will always want to fly.
Boeing stock is dropping faster than its Max 737s but the company doesn’t seem concerned. Even when people bounce off the ceilings due to cockpit issues or have to make an emergency landing in Denver be-
cause a passenger is stuck in the bathroom, Boeing knows people will fork over handfuls of cash to travel.
Passengers expect delays, cancellations and lackadaisical assistance. Any other industry would hire a fancy PR team to encourage people to use its services but the airline industry doesn’t give a flying fig about its image.
Even with its rock-bottom reputation, the airline industry has us over a barrel. With wheels ricocheting off the runway, engines catching fire and toilet waste flooding the cabin, passengers continue to pay increasing costs for the “luxury” of travel. And, like the Delta slogan states, “We Really Don’t Care.”
