West Valley City Journal - Oct 2017

October 2017 | Vol. 3 Iss. 10

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RUSSO RETIRES HAVING LEFT HIS MARK ON WEST VALLEY CITY

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

F

our years ago, Lee Russo took over the West Valley City Police Department as the smoke was clearing on scandal and controversy surrounding the department. He now leaves the department in a blaze of glory.

Russo retired as West Valley City’s Chief of Police on Sept. 8 leaving behind a legacy of noteworthy accomplishments to hang his hat on.

“Working with the officers of the West Valley City Police Department, the leadership of West Valley City and especially working alongside the residents of this city have been some of the proudest moments of my career,” Russo said in a statement.

Though Russo retires in the fourth year of a five-year contract, he and city leaders said it was always understood WVC would not be his permanent home. With three children across the country who Russo and his wife wanted to be closer to, he said the time was right to move on.

“Now that our city leaders and I have accomplished our goals for this police department, I feel confident that the time is right to go out and find that new opportunity,” he said.

One of those accomplished goals was to earn the community’s trust again after the Danielle Willard shooting and subsequent corruption uncovered in the narcotics unit.

“Four years later,” the city wrote in a statement, “the police department has succeeded in connecting with the public, and is a state of the art department once again standing proudly amongst its sister jurisdictions.”

Deputy Chief Colleen Nolen will serve as interim chief as the city begins its search for a permanent police chief.

Gold standard Under Russo’s stewardship, the police department became the only nationally accredited police agency in the state through CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies), a distinction held by less than five percent of police agencies nationwide widely considered the gold standard in law enforcement.

Russo said their operations are now aligned with the “best practices governing all facets of law enforcement. These best practices are considered the ‘gold standard’ of the profession.”

When WVCPD was awarded its accreditation in May, Mark Mosier, regional program director for CALEA, said not every “organization’s

Former West Valley City Police Chief Lee Russo (center) holds the CALEA accreditation certificate after the police department was awarded the distinction in May. (Kevin Conde/West Valley City)

CEO” is willing to set aside their ego subjecting itself to such a comprehensive review.

“It takes a strong leader to sign up for this program,” Mosier said.

After receiving the accreditation, Russo said the community expects its police department to be the best and this program helps them achieve that level.

“Staying with this program is our way of committing back to the community that we will not allow ourselves to become obsolete. We will not rest on our successes of the past,” Russo said.

Russo worked 22 years with the Baltimore County Police Department, an originator in developing CALEA and community policing. He said implementing those practices in WVC was a personal feather in the cap, but that the hope and goal is that 10 years from now, everyone in the department will consider CALEA standards common sense.

“Then you know you’ve made a real culture change,” Russo said in May. One CALEA assessor reported about WVCPD that that “there’s clearly a flavor, a theme [that] things have changed over the last three years, and it’s being favorably received and

Local Postal Customer ECRWSS Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.

reported.”

In May, Councilman Steve Buhler said during a city council meeting that public opinion of the police department has improved.

“I don’t think it’s because we get awards and recognition, but I think the awards and recognition follow actual improvement, progress and accomplishment,” Buhler said.

Start by Believing In his statement, Russo highlighted their “victim-focused protocols” through the Start by Believing program and processing all rape kits.

He said these protocols have “made it more likely that someone who commits sexual assault will be prosecuted for their crime.”

“We set the example in our community by saying that when someone comes to us and tells us that they have been sexually assaulted, we will start by believing,” Russo said.

In 2015, WVCPD initiated a special victims unit along with the Start by Believing campaign.

They also set up the Trauma Informed Victim Interview (TIVI) where sexual assault investigators are specially trained to help victims recall their experiences.

The department now has a collaboration

with victim services that includes police conducting interviews in a trauma room that resembles a living room setting.

All of which has aimed to create a better understanding and relationship between police and the community.

In the city’s statement it said, “Our officers are well trained, work hard to protect and to serve, and consistently strive to be a real part of our West Valley City community.”

Transparency During Russo’s time as police chief, the department was one of the first to equip its officers with body cameras.

Russo said in his statement that they’ve “created an environment of transparency in the police department” and that “the partnership we have with our community is stronger than ever before.”

Russo would also hold monthly community meetings that were streamed live on Facebook.

The professional standards review board—a committee of residents who review all displays of force, firearm discharges, police pursuits and citizen complaints—looks at around 50-70 cases each month. They make notes, determine whether actions were within policy and if necessary, make disciplinary recommendations.

Russo said in March that he reads every note the board writes.

“It brings transparency, oversight and accountability for the public so there’s a level of confidence that we are not operating in secrecy,” Russo said at the time. “It helps, I think, the public understand how we operate and why we operate the way we do.”

At a time when the Salt Lake City Police Department is undergoing scrutiny for its interactions with the public, Russo leaves WVC having endeavored to regain the city’s trust.

“Finally, to the community,” Russo wrote in the final paragraph of his statement. “I can’t thank you enough for the support you have shown me and this department over the past four years. This Police Department is stronger now than ever, our relationship with you is stronger now than ever; we are truly working as partners to make this city the very best it can be. I want you to know that this City’s elected officials and administration are committed to you. Residents of West Valley City, you are in great hands.” l

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WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Family Support Center receives $10,000 donation from national clothing chain T.J. Maxx The West Valley City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Valley City.

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.

The West Valley Team CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Bryan Scott bryan@mycityjournals.com EDITOR: Travis Barton travis@mycityjournals.com ADVERTISING: 801-254-5974 DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING: Ryan Casper ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com 801-671-2034 SALES ASSOCIATES: Melissa Worthen melissa@mycityjournals.com 801-897-5231 Steve Hession steve@mycityjournals.com Josh Ragsdale Josh.R@MyCityJournals.com – CIRCULATION COORDINATOR: Brad Casper circulation@mycityjournals.com EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN: Ty Gorton

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By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com

W

hen T.J. Maxx opens a new clothing store in a city, the corporation has a custom of making a $10,000 donation to community service organizations. Generally, several different worthwhile causes receive a portion of the money.

As the chain was preparing to open its newest store in Taylorsville (5670 South Redwood Road), company officials called the city offices for advice on what worthwhile charities should be considered for the donation. After speaking with the city’s public information officer Tiffany Janzen, T.J. Maxx chose to make the entire $10,000 donation to the Family Support Center.

“I told them about all the good things the center does for families in crisis,” Janzen said at a recent city council meeting. “They provide a crisis nursery, along with reduced cost housing, counseling—just a lot of great things. The Family Support Center is an important resource and that’s just the first thing I thought of when (T.J. Maxx) called.”

At that same city council meeting, Janzen received a “certificate of appreciation” from the Family Support Center, for touting their services to the clothing store chain.

Taylorsville T.J. Maxx Store Manager Daniel Lacey is confident his company made the right choice.

“We look for charities that help a lot of people, particularly lower-income residents,” Lacey said. “After doing a little research, we determined the Family Support Center was definitely at the top of our list. We’re pleased to make this connection so we can donate supplies, money and volunteer service in the future.”

The Family Support Center (1760 West 4805 South) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

It was launched in 1977 by the Utah Association of Therapists and the Junior League of Salt Lake City. Soon after, the center opened crisis nurseries in Sugar House and Midvale. Years later (in 2008), a third center opened in West Valley City. It remains open 24 hours a day.

“We have children there every single night,” Family Support Center Executive Director Jeff

Thank You

Bird said. “And occasionally, if it gets to full, we have to call out staff in the middle of the night to open another center for overnight needs.”

About half of the 3,000 people the support center serves each year are parents dropping their kids at a crisis nursery.

“It’s a place for parents to leave their children for a few hours—or even all day—if they need to go to work, get to Clinical Director Paul Ricks (pictured) painted this aquatic mural at the an important appointment, or Family Support Center. (Carl Fauver) if they just need a break from their kids for a little while,” the families. It’s all designed to assist people in said Family Support Development Director Bar- coping with parenting challenges, to help prevent bara Stallone. “There are limits to how many child abuse.” times a parent can use the service. So it should In addition to these services, the Family Suponly be used in a crisis.” port Center also operates a homeless and low-inThere is not a crisis nursery at the Family come facility in Midvale.

Support Center’s Taylorsville location. That site “Our Life Start Village has 54 units; many of is their administrative headquarters and also pro- them filled with single-parent families,” Bird said. vides mental health counseling. While parents are “We provide food donations and assist with addicin session they can leave their children in a wait- tion recovery.” ing area that features lots of stuffed animals and About 65 employees work for the 501c3 nontoys. The area comes complete with a large under profit Family Support Center; only a third of them the sea mural, painted by the center’s clinical di- are full time. The center’s annual budget is just rector, Paul Ricks. under $2 million, funded primarily through the “We have committed, well-trained therapists federal Department of Child and Family Services, who are willing to work for less money than they along with local foundation grants and individual would earn almost anywhere else,” Ricks said. donations.

“We normally serve people who simply don’t have Unified Fire Authority Assistant Chief Jay the resources to turn anywhere else. Our therapists Ziolkowski is proud to serve the Family Support help them make sense out of life.”

Center as the vice chairman of its board of direcThe T.J. Maxx donation was earmarked spe- tors. cifically for yet another service the Family Sup“The thing that impresses me the most is, we port Center provides: family mentoring. all have ups and downs in life and sometimes des“We send paraprofessionals into people’s perately need a place to turn,” he said. “The Famhomes—once a week, for up to 10 weeks—to ily Support Center has the resources necessary to teach parenting skills,” Stallone added. “That help people get through those down times.”

(T.J Maxx) donation will pay for the workbooks, Anyone interested in supporting the Family games and other materials our mentors leave with Support Center should call 801-955-9110. l

to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals

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October 2017 | Page 3

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WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

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Historical society opens exhibit at UCCC

By Keyra Kristoffersen | keyrak@mycityjournals.com

Old time West Valley City businesses that are no longer there. (Photo/Sheri Biesinger)

S

heri Biesinger has finally realized her dream to share with the public the history of West Valley City through a display at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

“I am so excited to let the community come and see where West Valley came from,” said Biesinger. “It’s just nice to revisit it through these pictures that we have that we were able to put up at the UCCC.” Biesinger had spent the past six years and countless hours gathering photos from residents, businesses, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers and the Salt Lake County archives until she finally found out about the West Valley Historical Society about a year and a half ago. She joined as a volunteer to combine efforts and research.

It was by accident that she heard about them and wishes she had known 10 years ago when it was formed.

“It’s a great historical society,” said Biesinger. “They collect the stories of the people. They go to someone’s house and record the stories.”

The historical society has been responsible for several projects like the sculpture and bridge design at Fairborne Station depicting a map of West Valley and the Jordan River.

When they were given the opportunity for a three-month exhibit at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, they were eager to combine their oral histories with Biesinger’s collected photos. Biesinger said that despite being the second largest city in Utah, there is no permanent base for a museum or collection to show off West Valley’s history.

“It’s hard to have things tucked away for years and years, all these precious things from

Hunter and Granger, it was just extremely exciting to have the opportunity to get them out there so that the public can see them,” said Biesinger, who was born and raised in West Valley.

The exhibit focuses on photos of historical homes and businesses that were in the Granger, Redwood, Chesterfield and Hunter areas that were combined into West Valley City in 1980.

Many of those buildings no longer exist.

“It’s kind of a nice display showing where we came from and what we had way back then,” Biesinger said. “A farming community with just some mom and pop stores everywhere and everyone knew each other’s names.”

Along with hundreds of photographs which took two weeks of constant work to prepare for display, there are also pieces of antique farm equipment and pioneer artifacts to see. The exhibit encompasses a time span of 130 years from 1849 to the 1980s.

Biesinger hopes that the display will help unearth more of West Valley’s past and get people interested in the history and will eventually lead to a permanent home for the collection. Until then, the historical society will continue to find and encourage others to get involved in preserving West Valley City’s past.

“We’ve gone through a lot of changes,” said Biesinger. “A lot of our historical buildings are gone. A lot of our history is gone. Hopefully, it will be a wonderful place where people can look back, look at our wonderful display, and remember.”

The exhibit will run through the end of October. The UCCC is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by appointment.l

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POSTPONE YOUR HEADSTONE

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Women’s football team remains a nearly perfect juggernaut

By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com

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Quarterback Louise Bean shows teammates her most valuable player trophy after winning the IWFL championship at Cottonwood High School in Murray.

(Utah Falconz)

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e’ve all heard the saying, nobody’s perfect. But that’s not 100 percent true.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins football team was perfect. In 2008, the New England Patriots were perfect, until losing Super Bowl XLII. But neither of those teams came close to what the Utah Falconz women’s football team has now accomplished over their first four seasons.

The local Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) team—which plays its home games at Cottonwood High School, in Murray —has lost just one game over four seasons. Their nearly perfect record is now 42-1.

This summer the Falconz also claimed their second straight league title, playing at home before what many league officials believe was the largest crowd to ever attend an IWFL game.

“There were so many people there,” Utah quarterback Louise Bean said. “I’ve heard estimates of 2,000 to 3,000 people. It was, by far, the coolest sports experience of my life.”

It was also the end of an era—Bean’s era—with the Falconz.

Shortly after Utah defeated the Austin (TX) Yellowjackets 3518 in the championship game, Bean was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

But long before the game was played, Louise and her teammates already knew it was her last Falconz game.

“My kids are getting older—and at age 43 I had already decided this was my last season,” Bean said. “But then my husband got a job opportunity in Great Falls, Montana. So even if I had thought about changing my mind, we won’t be here anymore.”

The mother of three went out in style, completing all seven of her passes in the championship game—three of them for touchdowns.

Her favorite moment of championship night came on one of those touchdown passes, though she wasn’t even watching teammate Lexie Floor when she crossed the goal line, 70 yards down field.

“She (Floor) was so far in the clear, I knew she would score,” Bean said. “So I just turned to watch the crowd go crazy. It was an awesome moment—the best since I’ve been on the team—and a

memory I’ll have forever.”

Bean has never been injured and has started every single game for the Falconz at quarterback. However, she has also shared time with other quarterbacks, and is confident the team will be able to fill her spot next season without skipping a beat.

Meantime, Bean’s teammate—wide receiver and defensive back Elisa Salazar—has every intention of returning next year, to try to help the Falconz complete a three-peat.

“I enjoy the team so much,” Salazar said. “It’s great to be surrounded by such good people. We have to pay to participate; but I think it’s money well spent.”

The 51 women on this year’s Utah Falconz roster each paid an $800 registration fee, to help cover costs for travel, medical staff, field rental and other expenses.

For a team that has rampaged through its opponents with only one loss in four seasons, perhaps the most logical question is what makes the Falconz so dominant?

“Honestly, we are smaller than pretty much every team we play,” Salazar said. “So it’s definitely not our size. I think there are three primary reasons why we do so well: leadership, discipline and conditioning.”

Salazar cites the team ownership and coaches for providing the skilled leadership the women need to be successful.

On conditioning, she says the Falconz work out hard to stay in shape.

“There have been a lot of games where we’ve really felt tested in the first quarter or first half,” she said. “But normally by the end of the game, we have more energy left than our opponents. I know we’ve won a lot of games for that reason.”

As for discipline, Salazar said, “We really don’t have a lot of plays; but the ones we have we practice over and over, and pay very close attention to the smallest details. I know that has helped us win several games too.”

The Utah Falconz always have several roster spots to fill each year. Any women interested in trying out for next year’s team should watch for clinic, camp and tryout information on the team’s Facebook page or at utahfalconz.com. l

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Nightmare Alley scares up patrons

By Keyra Kristoffersen | keyrak@mycityjournals.com

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Clowns come out to play at West Valley’s Nightmare Alley. (Photo/Candace Whitaker)

O

n October 27 and 28, the West Valley Family Recreation Center will open their 6,000-square- foot center to delight and fright all who dare enter with their annual haunted house and spook alley.

“We aim to scare ya and make ya pee. It’s a lot of fun,” said Candace Whitaker, program and activity section supervisor for the recreation center.

The haunted house began as an idea in 2007 and after its initial success, it became an annual favorite among staff members and West Valley residents alike. Each year, the center staff aims to make it bigger and scarier than the years before while still catering to all ages.

“It’s grown and become increasingly scary, which I like, but some people aren’t so fond of the scary. We aim to be scary, but talk to kids and adjust the scary. We have a lot of kids that come through from our programs here, so if we see that they’re scared, we kind of talk to them a little and tell them not to worry. We can cater to most of our clientele,” said Whitaker, who has been with the recreation center since 2006.

The haunted spook alley will be built over the course of three to four days prior to its twonight run the weekend before Halloween and will feature sections with witches, zombies, clowns, vampire, killer butchers and more fun stuff. The entire spooks alley should take about 10 minutes to get through, depending on how scared you are and how fast you run, said Whitaker.

“I like the creative process going into it, and it’s something that’s outside of what we normally do and so that’s always exciting, too. You come to work and you have these fitness classes and programs but you normally don’t get to build a haunted house,” said Whitaker.

Each year, they average 250-300 people each

night and due to some intense scares, recommend it for ages 8 and up. Though it is family friendly, Whitaker said it can be a bit intense for younger kids.

While the recreation staff run the evening events, volunteers are welcome to help and be part of the fun. Center patrons and community members are encouraged to help with set up and the job of creeping attendees out. Whitaker’s niece began at five years old by frightening passersby with a monster under the bed.

For information about volunteering, contact by email at candace.whitaker@wvc-ut.gov.

Tickets to the spook alley are $5 per person and if you buy five tickets, the sixth is free. Ticket sales stop 15 minutes before closing and run October 27 from 7-10 p.m. and October 28 from 6-9 p.m.

In addition to the haunted house and spook alley, the family recreation center will be hosting a Bewitching Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for all ages. Paranormal pancakes and eerie eggs will be served while famous witches and wizards, sorceresses and witch doctors wander around to sign autographs, take pictures and do activities with the kids. It’s a family friendly event where kids can participate in crafts like potion box making. The cost is $9 for 12 and up, $7 for youth ages 3-12, $5 for children ages 1 and 2 and under 1 is free. Tickets are limited.

Also on the 21st, the recreation center is hosting a free Halloween Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to noon with the West Valley Police Department coming to help explain tips for safe trick-or-treating. The fire department will judge a kid’s costume contest and then kids will have the opportunity to trick or treat among some of the vendor and group booths.

For information or to buy tickets, visit: http:// www.wvc-ut.gov/1158/Halloween-Events l

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Page 8 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Granite School District Bond to improve facilities on November ballot

G

By Aspen Perry | a.perry@mycityjournals.com

ranite School District (GSD) proposed the GSD Bond, up for vote November 7, in response to the rising concerns that GSD education facilities will not be able to keep pace with 21st century learning, in addition to safety concerns of outdated educational facilities.

“We have a billion dollars in capital needs in Granite School District, and that’s not Granite school officials telling us that, it is independent facility engineers who assessed our buildings 18 months ago,” said Ben Horsley, director of communications and community for GSD during a presentation to Holladay City Council on Sept 14.

Two years ago, the district board began strategizing ways to improve education facilities, and presented their initial findings to GSD communities in February and March of this year. After receiving community feedback, GSD conducted a survey to discover the cost model citizens would be most in support of.

As stated in the “Where We Are Now” video on gsdfuture.org, survey results showed the most support for a hybrid model of capital fees.

The hybrid model, viewed to have the least amount of financial impact on taxpayers, includes an initial 10-year $238 million bond with a 40year plan to rebuild and remodel every school in the district.

Once the 10-year bond is paid in full the tax revenue would be maintained by placing it back into the capital revenue.

In regards to opposition stating how GSD does not show responsibility for how they “spend others money,” as seen on a recent KSL announcement on public bond meetings, GSD representatives state they will have to account for funds used.

“The fund requires a truth in taxation, and we anticipate the funding for the next 30 years would be able to provide rebuilds and renovations for the remainder of the schools,” Horsley said.

According to information provided by parentsforgranite.org, the financial breakdown per household of the $238M bond will average $15 monthly or $184 annually, on a $250,000 home.

That’s money proponents of the bond feel is a small price to pay for student safety and learning.

“A better facility is extremely important to how we help out students,” said Trent Hendricks, principal of Valley Junior High School.

In addition to newer facilities being able to keep pace with 21st-century learning, newer facilities are also believed to improve school culture.

“The state of your building directly impacts culture… a new building can make an impact in the areas of morale and collaboration,” Hendricks said.

Given current district facility needs, GSD representatives explained regardless if the bond passes or not improvement costs will be passed on to taxpayers. They further stressed that the bond simply offers a responsible cost plan.

The “Why Bond Now” video on gsdfuture.

Granite School District household financial breakdown from gsdfuture.org videos. (gsdfuture.org)

org explains that due to current low interest rates and rise in construction costs, waiting could result in paying 10 percent more with each passing year until a plan is established.

“If we wait three years to put this together that $184 (annual per family cost), becomes over $240… and these aren’t wants, these are needs, so it’s not like the list is going to change suddenly because we wait a few years,” said Don Adams, assistant superintendent with GSD. Those needs include making facilities safer in the event of a natural disaster. Not only is this vital to students’ safety, but also for the purpose of educational facilities serving as centers for the community to seek assistance after a natural disaster.

“In the event of an emergency, 30 of our schools would be unusable,” Horsley said.

As public community meetings began in September, Horsley stated the biggest complaint addressed to GSD was citizens asking why the district had not done this sooner. Though the district did attempt for more funding during their 2009 bond initiative, due to the political climate at that time, the district bond was only able to pull from capital funding and not request a tax increase.

Horsley stressed the importance of the public seeing the value of education as an investment not just to kids but also to our community.

“If we don’t invest back into our kids, there is no economic future. Investing in the education of our kids is an investment to our way of life.”

To participate in public community meetings in October, visit gsdfuture.org or send comments to gsdfuture@graniteschools.org.l

October 2017 | Page 9

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Salt Lake County Council’s

MESSAGE O

ne year ago, I publicly shared the story of one of my sons having suicidal thoughts, and our efforts to get him help.

Late one night last summer, my son came to me and told me “I want to die.” No mother wants to hear those words from her child.

My heart ached as I tried to figure out what to do. He was in a dire situation and I was racking my brain on where to turn. As an elected official on the Salt Lake County Council, I couldn’t believe I didn’t know who to call.

September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and over the past year I’ve learned a lot about this problem, as well as some of the ongoing efforts to fix it. I learned that suicide is the number one killer of teens in Utah. I learned (firsthand) the panic and fear that far too many parents feel when they desperately search for resources. And I learned we need a better way to connect these parents and individuals with crisis intervention resources to avert a tragedy.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to serve on the state crisis line commission and work with Lt Governor Cox, state legislators, and mental health professionals to improve resources to those in crisis. We have been meeting for the past several months surveying the level of resources throughout Utah available to individuals and families experiencing a mental health crisis.

The commission has finished the first phase, and will

Suicide Crisis Line discussions bring continued solutions

By Aimee Winder Newton | ANewton@slco.org

present the findings to the state legislature.

There are more than 20 different crisis lines throughout the state, with varying hours of access and level of resource.

Because of this, we are recommending a public messaging campaign promoting the national crisis phone number: 1-800-273-TALK. We want to ensure this number funnels to the local resources based on where someone is calling from.

We are hopeful that federal legislation by Senator Hatch and Congressman Stewart will create a nationwide three-digit crisis line in the future.

Areas of the state where local crisis lines aren’t operational 24/7, we’ll seek additional funding to bring them up to speed. We want to make sure that every caller in the midst of crisis is connected with a live person on the other end—not a recording. We also want to ensure that the people responding to calls are well-trained and sufficiently prepared to potentially save lives.

Currently, Salt Lake County is serviced by a highly-skilled and dedicated team of professionals at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, better known as “UNI.” The people who take calls at UNI are consummate professionals.

Not only can they help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, they can also be a resource to anyone who is struggling but not quite at crisis level yet. I had the opportunity to tour the UNI facility and I was impressed by

their operation. My hope is that this Aimee Winder Newton County Council District 3 level of quality resource can become available to anyone in crisis, anywhere in Utah. Parents and kids can also access the SAFEUT app, which will connect them to UNI. Please download this app, if you haven’t already.

Lastly, we want to expand the reach of Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams, or MCOT. Think of it like an ambulance just for mental health emergencies. If someone has a mental health crisis, these teams can be dispatched to a home, school, or wherever needed. Their experts can work with the person experiencing the crisis and help them find a resolution that doesn’t involve self-harm. We’ve already seen these teams in action in Salt Lake County saving lives, and I’m hopeful we will see this resource in other counties throughout the state.

There is still a lot of work to do, and we’re just in the first phases. But I’ve never been more optimistic about Utah’s ability to solve our suicide crisis. For every teenager whose thoughts turn to suicide, and every mother whose heart breaks for her child—I’m committed to seeing this through.

I know what it’s like to feel that panic and fear. We’re making progress. I’m excited for the continued cooperation between community leaders and experts, and various levels of government, to bring to bear sufficient resources to do so.

Our children’s lives depend on it. l

Page 10 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Food festival features international tastes

By Keyra Kristoffersen | keyrak@mycityjournals.com

F

Green Urban Lunch Box shows off their fresh-pressed apple cider. (Keyra Kristoffersen/City Journals)

or those interested in foreign fare or trying something new, the 2nd annual Wasatch International Food Festival hit just the right spot.

“It really encapsulates the mission of the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, in bringing people together in diverse cultures and backgrounds,” said Taylor Timmerman, one of the program managers from the UCCC. “One of the best ways to do that is through food and so that’s where we found success with the festival and where we hope to grow as well.”

The festival was held on the lawn of the Utah Cultural Celebration Center on August 19 and featured vendors from West Valley and all over Salt Lake.

Jessica Iweriebo from Mama Africa Grill on Redwood Road, was pleased with the turnout for the beignets, made from “flour, sugar and love,” as well as the samosas filled with veggies and beef, jambalaya, and smoked chicken.

Iweriebo, who originally is from Nigeria, came to the United States five years ago to visit her cousin, Cathy Tshilumbo—Mama Africa herself—who is originally from the Republic of Congo.

Iweriebo decided to stay and now helps out in the restaurant.

“You’ve got to try the hot sauce.

It has the spices that makes everybody go ‘Wow!’,” said Iweriebo. “We have a ginger punch that’s made by Mama Africa herself here in Utah. It’s really spicy.”

Art projects from the Wasatch Gardens were available for kids to play in, a Thai fruit carver put up intricate works of fruit and vegetable art, and cooking classes were taught by some of the vendors like Papito Moe’s Puerto Rican Grub and Spudnik.

Karine Mnatsakanyan, who is

part-Armenian and part-Russian, started her business, Spudnik, in 2016 and has been having a great time wandering farmer’s markets, doing catering, and selling filled baked potatoes and lavash wraps as a Spice Kitchen Incubator.

Spice Kitchen Incubator is one of the projects set up by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) which brings together refugees and disadvantaged community members to teach and cultivate the skills necessary for creating a food-based business. One of Mnatsakanyan’s dreams is to open a kiosk or food court space in a university setting.

“I had very good recipes in my mind I decided to use here. My main dish that I serve is baked potatoes with butter and mozzarella. I have five toppings that are most popular,” said Mnatsakanyan. She came to the U.S. seven years ago and said she had a lot of friends but said it wasn’t easy to change cultures, though she did appreciate that Utah’s climate is similar to Armenia’s.

“I found my home,” said Mnatsakanyan.

Timmerman said she’s pleased with the turnout of people from all ages, especially since there are so many people who don’t even know about the UCCC. “I’m really happy with the variety of vendors especially having some West Valley staples,” said Timmerman.

“This is our second year with the event and it is quickly becoming one of our capstone events. It’s been really well received by the community.”

A lineup of local bands like LoFi Riot and Steel Badgers were scheduled throughout the two- day event, giving a mix of music for every taste and age.

John Sanders and Willow Alexander live right around the corner from the UCCC and after coming to last year’s

festival, knew they had to check it out again, especially after being drawn in by the smells.

“Ten out of 10. Fifty out of 10,” said Alexander.

As guests walked into the festival, they were greeted by an apple cider pressing truck manned by Katie Mulliken and Quentin Morse from Green Urban Lunch Box, a Salt Lake non-profit that harvests urban fruit trees that would otherwise be wasted.

“The fruit that we have here today is from hundreds of trees around the valley that people are unable to harvest for whatever reason,” said Morse.

The program, FruitShare, has over 2,600 trees registered and the fruit that is harvested gets split between the owner, the food bank, the volunteers who help gather, and programs like the cider press.

“The cider we’re making here has tons of different varieties in every little cup. Last week, we had 21 different varieties in one little cup,” said Mulliken.

In 2016, the organization harvested over 48,000 pounds of apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots and cherries, many of which are heirloom varieties planted by the pioneers. This year, Morse said, they anticipate closer to 90,000 pounds gathered.

Angela Mursener and her friends took it upon themselves to try a little bit of everything from the festival, such as mofongo, a dish of smashed plantains from Puerto Rico, where some of the group had been before.

“This is definitely something that we wanted to check out because it was new in the community, local food, local companies, we’re all about that, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to come out here,” said Mursener. “I think it’s great.”l

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October 2017 | Page 11

Page 12 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Pirates pocket preseason victories

By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com

T

he Cyprus Pirates opened their 2017 football season by knocking off two wins in its first three games. Its players and coaches are hoping to see the improvement they have been striving for as a team.

“You know against Copper Hills they did some things against us schematically that caused us some problems for our offensive line. We had to make adjustments which the kids did and we found success in the pass game. That opened up our run game and allowed us to do what we do best,” Head Coach Jed Smith said.

Smith began an intensive rebuilding program two years ago when he took over the head coaching position for the Pirates.

He began developing underclassman by investing time in the sophomores and little league programs.

Sophomore quarterback Parker Meldrum is an example of the Pirates efforts. The 6-foot-1, 167 lb. offensive leader has completed 53 passes this season for 933 yards. He has completed 58 percent of his passes for nearly 233 yards per game. At press deadline he had seven touchdowns.

“Parker (Meldrum) is a gunslinger. He has that mentality and sometimes we hate it, but usually we love his decisions. Overall he is a gamer. We are excited about him. He makes some big throws and big decisions for us,” Smith said.

In the game Sept. 1 against Copper Hills, the Grizzlies grabbed the second half kickoff and seemed to take control of the game. Meldrum came out for the Pirates first possession of the half, and showed he was not going to give up. He launched a beautiful pass nearly 50 yards through the air for a touchdown.

The Pirates never looked back and defeated the Grizzlies 48-26.

The Pirates finished their preseason with a 2-2 record. They

The Cyprus Pirates football team is supported by the community that fills the stands on Friday nights. (Greg James/City Journals)

defeated Copper Hills and Grantsville. They lost two close games to Pine View 42-31 and West 33-21.

“Fortunate for us the kids began to settle in and take care of assignments. Soujah (Gasu) has that finishing speed and has really helped us out,” Smith said.

Gasu is the team’s leading rusher. In five games he has amassed 431 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

“I feel like we have started to play up to our level. It makes me feel great to see us succeed. When I get the opportunity and get the ball I want to turn in an effort,” Gasu said.

Since 2014 the Pirates have only had three victories. This season with one more they could equal that total. Smith said he has noticed the players carrying themselves with more confidence.

“I have been a little nervous, but I am confident in my

receivers. I knew that if I threw it up and let them go get it they will catch it and score. We believe in ourselves and are practicing a lot harder than we ever have. I feel like I need to continue to improve my reads and not force the ball,” Meldrum said.

The Pirates first Region matchup was scheduled for Sept.

15 against Hunter High School (after press deadline). They will compete in Region 2 against Granger, Hillcrest, Hunter and Kearns.

“For us we have some tough opponents. Our region is big, it’s strong and powerful football. We feel like we are unproven and have a long way to go,” Smith said.

The Pirates have competed in only one state playoff game since 2009.

The state tournament is scheduled to begin Oct. 27-28 and the championship game will be Nov. 17 at the University of Utah.l

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October 2017 | Page 13

M yWestV alleyJournal.Com

Wolverines soccer off to great start

By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com

E

nthusiasm for girls soccer at Hunter High School has increased enormously. Winning on the pitch has only helped.

“My girls should get all of the credit. They are certainly playing better soccer,” Hunter Head Coach Bret Solberg said.

The Wolverines started their 2017 preseason winning two of their first five games, an abnormality at Hunter High School; last season the team only secured one victory the entire year, the year before that they won only three matches.

“The way our team is playing they should be state champs, no doubt,” Kolbie James, a casual soccer fan supporting her school at a home game concluded.

While their fans are dreaming of mansions on the hill, the team knows it is in the small steps that they can accomplish great things. A state championship is a goal, but their reality is that any win is an improvement.

This season’s team had some underclassman mixed with veteran experience. The mixture of the young exuberance and solid skill is what is making this season special according to Solberg.

“These are the cutest, nicest girls, and I cheer extra loud for them,” said Sara Harding, a soccer mom.

Cheering loud must be the key that makes this team click.

After defeating West Jordan 3-0 and Ben Lomond 5-0 in preseason, the winning continued. Region games began and they defeated Granger 2-1, then Cyprus 2-0 and finally Kearns 8-0.

The momentum continued to build.

In its first game against Granger, Hunter jumped out to an early one goal lead. Granger fought back and tied it late in the

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second half. In overtime Hunter was able to put in the decisive goal to take the victory. In similar fashion they scored two goals back-to-back against Cyprus for the win. In the match against Kearns they poured in six goals in the first half to cruise to the win.

“The new region alignment has made a difference to us. We play some of our close rivals now. The girls have bonded well and are playing the ball very well,” Solberg said.

In eight matches junior Rylee Whetsel leads the team with nine goals; including two hat tricks (three goals in a match) against Kearns and Ben Lomond.

Whetsel is not doing it alone. Freshman Olivia Harding and Bailey Spring have netted three goals apiece so far this season.

In goal, keepers Bianca Cuevas and Britton Pike have split duties. Both girls have notched shutouts.

The Wolverines defense is allowing only 1.1 goals per game and the offense is generating 2.6 goals per game.

All the commotion is very exciting to the team and school.

Hunter has not appeared in the state tournament since 2013 when they lost in the first round to Alta 8-0. A return trip would be important to the growth of the program.

The Wolverines final regular season match is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Hunter High School beginning at 7 p.m.

The Utah High School Activities Association realigned its member schools. Hunter is still a member of Region 2 and will compete against Cyprus, Granger, Kearns and Hillcrest.

The state soccer tournament is scheduled to begin Oct. 10.l

Hunter High has scored 21 goals in its first eight matches this season. Rylee Whetsel has nine of those goals. (Caitlyn Morris/Hunter yearbook)

Page 14 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

No pumpkin patch or pony rides after rezone appeal denied

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

Property at 3396 W. 3100 South must now come under compliance of a residential zone after it housed horses and chickens on its property hoping to be rezoned. (Courtesy West Valley City documents)

A

potential rezone that would be a step towards a petting zoo and Christmas tree lot in a residential neighborhood was unanimously denied by the West Valley City Council in August.

Dozens of residents turned out to voice their opinion on a property that was trying to be rezoned agricultural to ensure the owner, Roger Chase, could keep his personal animals on the property.

Chase originally wanted to build a subdivision on the 2.3 acres of land at 3396 W. 3100 South and received approval for it in 2016 before changing his mind. “(I) fell in love with the place,” Chase said, “and had a dream of having a pumpkin patch.”

The property has been zoned as single family residential since 1985 and doesn’t allow public uses such as a pumpkin patch or Christmas tree lot. It also limits the amount of animals one can have on a property.

Chase said he wanted this property as open space for families to visit.

“Seeing a place in West Valley where kids can come and see a pony ride or pet a llama or pet a miniature pony and see their eyes

glow is pretty good,” Chase said.

Chase had opened a petting zoo and offered pony rides for local families, even reaching a point where he created a website to advertise such services. Once Chase learned he was not in accordance with city codes to offer such attractions, he took down the website and signs around the property. He also removed some animals to come under compliance with city codes.

Aerial photographs from 1979 indicate a large barn structure and animal pens were on the property prior to its 1985 zone change.

Some West Valley City residents voiced their desire to see the animals and farm-style décor remain intact. A few of whom had visited the pumpkin patch before.

Erin Horne has a son who works as a farmhand on the property. She said this is rare in the community and should be kept.

“We have so many children who need this. This is important because all we have is city blocks and buildings,” Horne said. “We need the farm stands.”

Other residents voiced their desire to see a farming activity within the city and having a place for cub scouts to learn about animals and earn merit badges.

“I would like in the middle of hundreds of blocks of houses and subdivisions and businesses, etc. to be able to have somewhere I can spend 10, 15 minutes driving somewhere I can spend three, five hours with my children letting them pet these animals and have them see this opportunity,” said resident Dean Miller.

Not everyone felt that way though with many of those in opposition coming from nearby neighbors.

The rezone, said Jody Knapp, the city’s zoning administrator, would still not allow public uses like petting zoos and hay rides. It would still require Chase to address parking and restroom facilities to be considered for a conditional use permit and city codes would need to be modified to allow Christmas tree lots in an agricultural zone.

“There were no additional documents turned in for community use which is a completely separate type of application,” Knapp said.

Equaling the support for the property rezone from the public was a desire to stop it. Neighbors opposed the rezone saying the property is not right for agriculture and the smells emitting from the area are out of control.

Ken Thorup, who lives adjacent to the Chase property, said the smell is horrendous and his property has flies all the time.

“Yes, I love animals. I’ve been around them all my life. I come from ranch people. But this is not 1917, it’s 2017. The land is short, the land is scarce in West Valley City,” Thorup said.

Another neighbor, Benjamin Agor, said the smell and the flies are so bad he won’t use his backyard anymore.

“Mr. Chase wants to have a place for his grandkids to pet llamas and goats, but we’re trying to raise kids on our property,” said Agor, who has lived in his home since 2008.

The city council unanimously denied the rezone with some councilmembers stating an affinity for farming properties, but ultimately deciding the location is not appropriate for heavy animal use.

Councilman Steve Buhler said he’s in favor of petting zoos and pumpkin patches, but felt the property is zoned residential and Chase knew it was residential.

“In fact, what I’ve heard is he bought it because it was R-1-8 (meaning residential with minimum size of 8,000 square feet), but he changed his mind and disregarded the law that governed that property for a couple of years,” Buhler said during the city council meeting.

Councilwoman Karen Lang added the problem is the location.

“I think the idea is awesome, but it’s the placement of where he wants to do this and the commercial part that gives me pause.” l

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October 2017 | Page 15

M yWestV alleyJournal.Com

Grappler and coach head to world finals

By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com

T

he story of U.S. grappling team member Koffi Adzitso begins at a young age when his family left Africa and settled in Utah as refugees. His new life would take him on a journey to the World Grappling Championships in Azerbaijan.

“Only 20 people made the team, lots tried out and two of us come from Utah. We get to represent the USA and travel out of the country as team members,” Adzitso said.

The World Grappling Championships are scheduled for Oct. 18-21 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Adzitso trains with Taylorsville resident and former grappling World Champion Brandon Ruiz. He began hand-to-hand combat training after graduating from Cottonwood High School in 2007.

While training he met Ruiz and began learning from him.

“I heard about wrestling my senior year and went out for the team. After high school I was doing MMA (mixed martial arts) and that is when I met Brandon. Every time I compete Brandon is in my corner. I have learned everything from him. This time I made the team with him,” Adzitso said.

He joined the Colts wrestling team his senior year and placed second in his weight class at the Utah High School Activities Association state wrestling meet.

He encourages kids to wrestle as early as they can.

“Wrestling teaches a lot of discipline and how to respect people. I learned to honor people and be responsible,” Adzitso said.

Adzitso and his family came to Utah when he was 11 years old. He moved from Togo, Africa. His parents got jobs at the airport to support his family.

“My parents really struggled to give us a good life here. They gave up a lot of stuff to come here and we settled in and became

citizens. We came here with only the stuff we could fit in our suitcase,” Adzitso said.

Because he is different he got into a lot of fights in school.

“I dressed different, did not speak English and looked different than everyone else. Back in Africa we fought a lot.

When I was bullied I would defend myself. Then I started wrestling and instead of fighting after school I was on a team. I felt this was it, and I knew it would keep me away from trouble,” Adzitso said.

Grappling differs from wrestling—it is wrestling to submission. This means a competitor is expected to submit either verbally or by tapping his opponent to admit defeat. Refusing to “tap out” can risk unconsciousness or serious injury.

His supporters have started a go fund me account to help him raise funds for travel while attending the championships. It can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/send-koffi-to-worldchampionship.

Adzitso estimates his trip to the world championships will cost about $5,000. He works for Intermountain Health Care in the purchasing warehouse.

He trains by riding his bicycle to work and working out with Ruiz his coach. He rides 34 miles a day and spends approximately 12 hours a week perfecting his skill.

He qualified for the team in April at the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials in Las Vegas. He finished fourth in the 84 kg class.

Adzitso is nicknamed “The Lion King” in Ultimate Fighting circles and began fighting in 2007. His UFC record includes 20 wins and 11 losses. He had nine knockouts. His last UFC fight was in 2014 when he began training for submission grappling full time. l

Koffi Adzitso will represent the United States at the World Grappling Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Koffi Adzitso)

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Page 16 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Teachers’ resourcefulness, generosity help fill school food pantries

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

S

ome amazing teachers have gone to great lengths to help students in need from using their bridal registry to provide coats for students to entering a boxing ring to solicit canned goods.

“I think teachers naturally have a good heart,” said West Jordan Middle School Vice Principal Eric Price. “It’s not about the money, it’s about the kids.”

All eyes on the bride One example is Copper Hills High School’s (CHHS) marketing teacher Rickee Stewart who was nationally recognized when she used her bridal registry to collect coats for the homeless students at her school. Her generous actions were featured in newspapers and on TV during the whirlwind weeks between the first day of school and her wedding in September.

When Stewart realized there were more than 100 homeless students at CHHS, she utilized social media to invite the community to donate through her bridal registry. CHHS Vice Principal Glenn Varga said once Stewart’s first GoFundMe request was filled, the online donation site decided to promote her campaign, opening it to international exposure.

That’s when boxes of coats began arriving at the school. Varga said the 600 coats they’ve received take up a lot of space.

“We’ve got a good problem on our hands,” said Varga. “We’re running out of storage space. The storage room is packed full and we’re looking for other spaces.” As the weather turns colder, the coats will be distributed to students, the surplus being shared with other schools.

This isn’t the first time Stewart has caused an overflow in the school’s pantry.

Varga said when Stewart started teaching at CHHS three years ago, she organized a food drive.

“We got such an enormous response, we filled our own Principals Pantry and were able to donate hundreds of pounds to local food banks,” he said. “Since Rickee Stewart has been on campus, it’s been fully stocked,” said Varga.

Milonie Taylor, who runs the pantry at CHHS, is glad Stewart’s bridal registry story gained popularity with so many media outlets.

“I’m hoping it has brought some positive needed attention to homelessness—it’s not just people living on a park bench eating out of a dumpster, it could be that kid sitting right next to in class,” said Taylor.

She hopes students take advantage of what the pantry can provide and aren’t embarrassed to ask for help.

“I’ve made our pantry look warm and inviting, it looks like a store, and they are wel-

come to pick up want they need,” said Taylor. The Pantry provides students with food, school supplies, personal hygiene items and clothing—even formal dresses for dances.

CHHS students are fully involved in the pantry, collecting donations and organizing them on the shelves. The school’s Latino in Action Club recently sponsored a clothing drive, which gleaned hundreds of clothing donations. In Stewart’s marketing-based business class, she incorporates the pantry into the curriculum. Taylor said they discuss homelessness, encouraging students to consider how it would affect their lives.

“Rickee will ask them to write down the difference between a want and a need—I think it’s pretty eye-opening to her students,” said Taylor.

Taking a punch for the pantry Tyler Garcia, business teacher and football coach at Kearns High School, has likewise been passionate about stocking multiple school pantries. He agreed to compete in a boxing match at a local sports arena—if it benefited school pantries.

Originally, he was giving his sports and entertainment marketing students some “real world” experience helping market the Executive Fight Night.

“It quickly turned into an opportunity to get food and money for the food banks at Kearns and Cyprus, if I took more of an active role in the event so I spoke with the promoter and committed to the nine week training to be ready to fight,” said Garcia.

Spectators at the July 29 event were asked to donate food with their admission and Garcia was able to collect about 20 cases of food and close to $1,000, which he divided between the Kearns Community Food Pantry and Cyprus’ Pirate Pantry.

Before the match he said, “I do not have any boxing experience and yes, I am a bit crazy for doing this, but if it can raise food and awareness to help our students then I am willing to take the punch.”

To the delight of his students, Garcia was declared the winner over his opponent, who towered half a foot above him.

Will sing for food Krista Gibbons runs the food pantry at West Jordan Middle School (WJMS). She coordinated a series of fundraisers over the summer to stock the pantry for the school year.

Local artists such as The Backview Heights from Provo and ukulele player Abbey Hafen entertained audiences at the large benefit concert held August 23 at the Viridian Event Center. Local businesses committed to match contributions and donated items for the raffle such as Papa Murphy’s pizzas, passes for rock climbing at The Front, field time at

Let’s Play Soccer and a helicopter ride.

But the big winners of the evening were the students who face hunger, immigration, financial and family problems.

“If a kid comes to school hungry, they’re not gonna learn,” said Gibbons.

She said many teachers have snacks they make available for kids in need—one teacher keeps peanut butter and jelly and bread on hand for kids who don’t have a lunch. Others have a drawer of granola bars. But when the need is long-term, they send them to Gibbons whose stash has grown from a shelf to her entire classroom closet.

Gibbons even provides backpacks for the students to fill up with food to take home to their families to ensure that they have something to eat over the weekend.

WJMS teacher Erika Rand said she used to assume kids who needed free lunch would get it, not realizing those from refugee families couldn’t qualify for the program. She said teachers are aware who the homeless

students are, even when it isn’t obvious by their appearance.

“Mostly you can tell by discipline and by how stressed out they are,” said Rand.

She has been touched by students who generously share their lunch or slip money to friends so they can buy something to eat.

“They’re just kids but their needs are so much more,” said WJMS teacher Erika Rand.

“We have some awesome teachers that really make them feel like family.”

Many teachers donate their time as well, staying after school to play soccer with kids who need something to do after school said Price. Some teachers become the support and encouragement the kids aren’t getting at home. He said parents do their best but times get tough; his teachers do their best to help out in any way they can.

“We tell our kids everyday at school on the announcements, ‘We love you, we care about you, make it a great day,’” said Price. l

Donations stack up in school pantries, like this one at Copper Hills High School, because of teachers who campaign for donations. (Milonie Taylor/CHHS)

October 2017 | Page 17

M yWestV alleyJournal.Com

Stars offseason full of changes

By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com

Jazz guard Alec Burks has spent time on the floor for the Salt Lake City Stars. The Stars are set for their second season in Taylorsville. (Paul Asay/Salt Lake City Stars)

T

he Salt Lake Stars are members of a new league, sort of.

The NBA development league or D League; will now be known as the NBA Gatorade league, or G League. The league has long been a testing ground for the NBA. The G league is about the future of creating the next level of sports performance.

Gatorade is now the official sponsor for the NBA’s official minor league. The leagues job is to prepare players, coaches, officials, trainers and front office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory.

The G League features 26 teams, all with affiliations to NBA franchises. It is a family-friendly and affordable alternative to the NBA. This league expanded by four teams this year. It added the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario (LA Clippers), Erie Bay Hawks (Atlanta Hawks), Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies) and Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks).

Beginning this season, NBA rosters expanded to 17 players. The two additional roster spots can be players with two-way contracts.

These contracts allow players to spend the majority of the season with the G League team and not more than 45 days with their NBA team.

All Salt Lake City Stars games during the 2017–18

season stream on Facebook Live. The games can be found at Facebook.com/ NBAGleague.

The Stars’ roster is filled with players on different paths they hope end up on an NBA team. They can be returning players, affiliate players, local tryout players or free agents. Unlike Major League Baseball, a majority of G League players are available for any of the 30 NBA teams to sign. League players have signed contracts with the league and not an individual team; by NBA standards they are technically free agents.

The G League hosts its showcase Jan. 10–13 in Mississauga, Ontario. The showcase highlights every G League team in one arena.

The four day, 26-game event features all 26 league teams playing two regular season games. This is the leagues primary in-season scouting event. Personnel from all 30 NBA teams are expected to be in attendance.

The League is scheduled to tip off its season Nov. 3.

The Stars begin the season on the road at Austin, Texas. Their first home game is scheduled for Nov. 8 against a new franchise, the Wisconsin Herd.

Each team will play 24 road and 24 home games. The Stars host their games at The Salt Lake Community College Lifetime Activities Cen-

ter on its Taylorsville campus.

The Stars have been moved to the Western Conference’s Southwest Division. Their competitors are the Austin Spurs, Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Texas Legends.

The Stars were scheduled to host an open tryout for prospective players Sept.

30 (after press deadline).

On Aug. 22, Jonathan Rinehart was named team president for the Stars. He is a 12-year veteran of the Utah Jazz. His responsibilities include ticket sales, corporate partnerships, marketing efforts, community relations and in-game entertainment.

Bart Sharp, who served as the Stars General Manager last season, has been appointed as the senior vice president of marketing for the Utah Jazz.

Rinehart joined the Jazz organization in 2005 and has worked as vice president of communications for the past three seasons. He is also organizer of the Utah Jazz Summer League.

The Stars finished last season with a record of 14-36 in fifth place in the Western Conference Pacific Division.

They lost their last 10 games of the regular season.

The Stars’ new head coach is Martin Schiller. He had previously been and assistant coach in the German Bundesliga for the last two years. l

Page 18 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Principal goes to law school to sue state

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Plan today, not tomorrow.

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n her 12 years of teaching and 13 years as principal, Amy Martz has worked to provide the best for Utah students. She cares so much for her students that, when as a principal, she discovered students in need of a home, she applied to be a foster parent and brought them into her own home. She adopted a student in 2008 and three more last year.

As a principal, Martz advocated for children as well as teachers. Her frustration with budgeting restraints built up over the years until she finally made another life-changing decision.

“I just got really tired of having to tell teachers ‘no’ for things that they desperately needed,” she said In 2012, she quit her high-paying administration job to go back to school to earn a law degree that would enable her to sue the state for education funding.

“The legislature is really going to have to dig deep and find a source of funding; we’re so far behind,” said Martz.

While she finished her degree, Martz returned to part-time teaching at Fox Hills Elementary, taking a nearly 80 percent pay cut while continuing to deal with problems exacerbated by lack of funding.

“I have a new perspective on it from having been a teacher and a principal,” she said. “Now I’m also a student (I’ve done 10 years of college), and now I have these kids. These guys have really made me think about where we are right now with funding for education and that I want to fight for them because they deserve to have a better education.”

The biggest problem, according to Martz, is class size. She said classrooms aren’t made to accommodate so many children. Last year she had a class of 33 students and said it was very difficult to move around and to stay on top of everything.

“To have 33 was just really unconscionable, and it affected the kids,” said Martz. “You never get 30 people to ever stop talking.”

Because the school added another track, this year she has 19 students, making it easier to monitor student progress, have more one-on-one time and communicate with parents. Behavior is also better, she said.

“It’s a whole different experience to have a class size like the rest of the nation,” she said.

She’d also like to have the means to provide more technology opportunities for her students.

“We’re fighting over a set of Chromebooks right now, trying to get technology into everyone’s hands,” she said of the teachers at her school. “I would use it every day for a couple of hours if I could have it but everybody wants it, and it’s hard to get enough for all.”

More school counselors, psychologists and administration should also be a high priority for budgeting, said Martz.

Martz believes many students with behavior problems, that don’t qualify for special education aides, would benefit from one-on-one help in the classroom to help monitor behavior.

“You can’t teach when you are worried about making sure everyone is safe,” said Martz.

Principals spend time chasing these children, she said. When she was a principal, Martz felt her time was consumed with dealing with crises.

“There’s not enough of me to go around to do all the things I need to do,” she said.

Just one principal and a half-time administrative assistant are responsible for the 1,200 students at Fox Hills, illustrating how Utah not only has the highest student-to-teacher ratios but also principal to student ratios.

Martz believes going to court could help bring needed changes to the education budget. She said similar lawsuits have been brought before 46 states—and 27 of them have won.

In the time she’s been working toward her law degree, progress has been made.

In 2016, the Alliance for a Better Utah (betterutah.org) announced its intention to sue the state.

“Better Utah believes that the legislature is not living up to its duty under the Utah Constitution to provide adequate funding for our children’s schools. It is our belief that if the legislature continues to ignore their responsibility to provide for our children’s future, they should face up to their failures in a court of law,” organization officials said in a statement. The Alliance is waiting to see how the legislature will respond. Meanwhile, Alliance Board Chair Josh Kanter encourages the community to let their government leaders know their feelings about the issue.

It’s a slow process that’s not moving fast enough for Our Schools Now (ourschoolsnow. com), a coalition of business and civic leaders who believe local leaders can make better decisions for education funding. They are campaigning for a ballot initiative proposing a tax increase that would generate $700 million each year, increasing spending nearly $1,000 per student.

“New funding will be allocated directly to Utah schools so that the teachers and students of those schools will directly receive the benefits of greater investment in education,” said Austin Cox, campaign manager of the coalition. “We must provide our teachers with the resources they need to teach our students the skills they need for future success.”

Funding from the initiative will be used for teacher salaries, early learning, technology, professional development, class size reduction, additional teachers, counselors, tutors and specialists, or any other purpose to improve student performance. It would not go toward district administration expenses or construction.

Martz is actively involved with the Our Schools Now campaign, collecting signatures (they need 113,000) to get the initiative on the ballot for November 2018. She believes this campaign sends a message to a legislature that hasn’t been willing to take action.

“The people want education so badly that they’re willing to do it themselves and put through

A dedicated educator, Amy Martz went to law school so she could sue the state for funding. (courtesy of Amy Martz)

this voter initiative,” Martz said. “If it doesn’t go through, that will be very difficult on the lawsuit because it shows the public isn’t willing to pay more money.”

Kanter said it is the outcome of the initiative and whether the legislature responds with a significant change that will determine if the alliance follows through with the lawsuit.

Martz hopes as momentum builds, improvements in education will garner more support.

Granite School District has made some progress with its recent 11.67 percent salary increase for teachers. Other districts are expected to follow suit, said Martz.

“The school districts have realized there’s a teacher shortage coming, that they really need to do something to motivate teachers to come to their district,” she said. But she said districts are still limited by funding. “They can do this onetime allotment that’s really going to help, but they don’t have any authority to go higher. The ultimate problem is they’re going to outgrow that tax increase when they need more teachers.”

Martz passed her bar exam in September.

She is considering going into public service.

She feels that she would do well in juvenile defense. Also, being a parent of an autistic child, she said she could help families with special needs children navigate the education system to get the most benefit for their children.

Or she might just return to being a principal.

Either way, she will continue to push for better funding for education, fueled by her own children’s needs.

“I want their education to be better,” she said. “I fight as much for them now as for the kids I had when I was the principal. I consider those my kids, too.” l

October 2017 | Page 19

M yWestV alleyJournal.Com

Music + humor = chemistry S

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

tudents are humming tunes about integers, giggling about phosphorus puns and reacting to a live Tesla Coil thanks to Sadie Bowman and Ricky Coates of Matheatre, which brings music and humor to the serious task of helping high school and college students understand and memorize math and science concepts.

“We consider our job to be reinforcing and supporting the work that math and science teachers are doing, and to inspire conversations and explorations,” said Bowman.

The company’s productions, “Calculus: The Musical,” “Tesla Ex Machina” and “Curie Me Away!” provide a context to appreciate calculus, electrical engineering, chemistry and physics and are accessible to both those who love math and science and those who don’t, said Bowman.

“Curie Me Away” is Matheatre’s newest show. It is a musical that tells the story of Marie Curie, the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, who overcomes obstacles to become an inspiring pioneer in the field of chemistry.

Bowman and Coates both have degrees in theater, but Coates started out as an astrophysicist.

“He grew up intending to be a scientist but fell in love with theater,” said Bowman. For “Curie Me Away,” the two also consulted with Coates’s sister, Dr. Becky Coates, who recently received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Utah.

“We had some fun conceptual brainstorming sessions with her and did a lot of reading and research on our own,” said Bowman. The show includes core chemistry concepts such as compounds, reactions, groupings on the periodic table, transmutation and radioactivity.

“It is a specific story told in a theatrically engaging way that can be appreciated with no requisite background but woven with very intentional metaphor that will ring bells for those who know the science or are learning the science,” said Bowman.

Some lyrics are best appreciated by those familiar with the chemical elements like in a love song when Marie claims her heart is “red as rubidium,” “soft as barium” and “glows like phosphorus with a capital P.” Chemistry students catch the jokes when they know, for example, that phosphorus is a luminescent element which glows and its chemical symbol is a capital letter P. (Advanced students might even catch the additional gag if they are familiar with Hennig Brand’s methods of discovery of the element.)

Even without a background in chemistry, audiences may appreciate how Curie takes on housework like a science project (experiment and document) and defines her relationships chemically (her two daughters are two hydrogen atoms bonded to her oxygen).

Bowman’s linguistic humor and variety of musical styles bring more than just science to the story of Madame Curie. The one-hour show also incorporates social and political history as well as women’s studies.

“We wanted to dig deeper and bring more of her story to a broader audience. I found the idea of education as an act of resistance to be incredibly compelling,” said Bowman, who created a Hamilton-eque rap song for the oppressed and frustrated Curie, who was being denied educational opportunities.

“Tesla Ex Machina” aims to entertain audiences with science, history and ethics in a one-man show. Coates, as Nikola Tesla, recreates some of his most renowned experiments, including the induction motor, the world’s first robot and a live Tesla Coil.

“Our role is to inspire and provide new connections, contexts and portals to engagement, more than necessarily to, say, teach calculus,” Bowman said.

Matheatre’s first production, “Calculus: The Musical!” was written in 2006 as a learning tool for Calculus students.

“Watching the show will give you an overview of what calculus is, but it won’t teach you how to do calculus,” said Bowman. “But chewing on the lyrics will directly help you learn calculus. The jokes and references do require a baseline context of mathematical exposure, so it’s best consumed by someone who is at least interested in calculus.”

The music sweeps through a range of genres--from Daft Punk and Eminem to Gilbert & Sullivan to Lady Gaga—expressing the concepts of limits, integration and differentiation.

Matheatre is based in Utah but performs all around the country during

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Sadie Bowman was inspired to write “Curie Me Away” because of Madame Curie’s feminine courage in overcoming social and political obstacles. (Scott Pakudaitis)

the school year. Last year they performed at 40 different venues between September and May. “It gives me such hope and joy to see young people lose their minds with excitement about math,” said Bowman. “I think it’s a really cathartic experience for those students who aren’t really encouraged by the culture of high school to stand proud in their love of math.”

Bowman sees this as her contribution to the STEM field.

“I am employing the things I am good at (writing, music, comedy) to not just entertain but inspire, enable and empower other people (especially young people) to explore and deepen their own passions for math and science, and I find that immensely rewarding.”

The company has plans to create more shows. It is currently considering the history of climate science and also an astronomy-themed show.

The idea for the company started with math teacher Marc Gutman, who wrote parodies of familiar songs as mnemonic devices for his calculus students. When he realized how well the songs helped them retain and comprehend information, he wrote a song for every concept in his Calculus I class.

Bowman worked with him to develop the songs into a theater production.

Gutman’s original calculus-themed parodies, as well as other albums about conic sections, exponents and logarithms, are available at www. matheatre.com.

“This music exists for the purpose of being teaching and learning tools, so I encourage math educators and students to check it all out,” said Bowman.

High schools, colleges and universities and theaters can book a performance of any of the three shows by contacting bookings@matheatre.com.

Further information is available at www.matheatre.com. l

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Page 20 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Solar eclipse used as a chance to appreciate science

“To Strengthen and Promote the Shared Interests of the Business Community” Representing Businesses in West Valley City, Taylorsville, Kearns and Millcreek Contact Information: Barbara S. Riddle, CMP

To invest in your organization and community, invest in ChamberWest!

801-977-8755 barbara@chamberwest.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS PiNG (Professionals Networking Group) Meets weekly on Wednesdays Oct. 5 – Legislative Affairs Oct. 10 – Women in Business Luncheon Oct. 12 – Leadership Institute Oct. 25 – ChamberWest Luncheon Series For more information or to register for an event, call 801-977-8755 or visit www.ChamberWest.com

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Thank You to our Community Investment Members

By Ruth Hendricks | Ruth.H@mycityjournals.com

M

any residents used the Aug. 21 solar eclipse to increase or enhance their knowledge of science. Salt Lake County libraries throughout the valley hosted eclipse-viewing parties from 10 a.m. until past noon.

The eclipse reached maximum coverage at 11:33 a.m. While Salt Lake county residents were not in the zone to see the total eclipse, the viewpoint here was 92 percent at fullest coverage.

“People were lined up at the doors of many branches before the libraries even opened,” said Kelsy Thompson, public relations coordinator for the library. She reported that Sandy alone had about 700 people attend. “I’d say between all 18 of our branches, we easily had a few thousand patrons attend and partake in the festivities.”

The library branches gave out 3,000 pairs of viewing glasses on eclipse day alone, and had been distributing them, as available, before the event as well. “For those patrons who couldn’t acquire glasses, many of the branches also created pinhole viewers and cardboard viewers with solar film for patrons to watch the eclipse. We also had a full schedule of branch events leading up to Aug. 21,” said Thompson.

These events included talks about the solar system at the Taylorsville branch, related storytime readings at various branches, crafts at the Whitmore branch, rocket launchings at Bingham Creek and a Lunar Tunes/Looney Tunes cartoon marathon at Bingham Creek.

Joakima Carr came to the West Jordan library viewing party with her son, 7-year-old Daisun, and daughter, 5-year-old Daiyana.

Her baby, Dailuna, also came along to the party. Joakima laughed that several of her children had space-related names, one with “sun” and one with “luna.” Damon, the father, is a mechanical engineer and likes to promote science learning with the kids.

“I want to be an astronaut. I want to go to Jupiter,” said Daisun. He explained how Jupiter was the largest planet, and he talked about the storms on Mars.

Joakima had helped the kids build cardboard eclipse viewers. She had watched a video on YouTube to learn how to build them.

Daisun was already learning about the phases of the moon in school. The family also recently watched the movie “The Martian” and had discussed living on Mars. The kids had used blocks at home to make stackable buildings and a satellite, inspired by the movie.

Joakima said the family has also gone to visit a space museum and that the kids enjoy anything with a space theme.

Retiree John Perry also came to the viewing party. Perry has been interested in space since

John Perry lets the public view the eclipse through his telescope. (Ruth Hendricks/City Journals)

the TV show “Star Trek” debuted. Perry came to the library grounds because there were no obstructions, and he could set up his telescope with a filter and camera attachment. He programmed the camera to take a photo every 40 seconds to document the movement of the moon across the sun. “It’s amazing to see the sun and moon both together at the same time,” he said.

Attendees at the party expressed appreciation that Perry let them look through his telescope. Perry enjoys taking photos of celestial events. He took 268 images when Mercury crossed the sun. Mercury and Venus are closer to the sun than our planet, so when they cross in between the Earth and the sun it’s called a transit. Mercury’s last transit was May 9, 2016.

Information from the county library website shows that the 2017 Great American Eclipse united most of the country in viewing it. CNN recently projected that about half the country (150 million people) watched some portion of the eclipse. This compares to 20 million people who watched the 2017 NBA Championship, and 111 million people who watched the Super Bowl this past February. l

October 2017 | Page 21

M yWestV alleyJournal.Com

Checkered flags fly for young driver

By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com

T

o race a car fast, a driver’s license is not necessary, apparently.

Chaz Groat is making a name for himself on the threeeighths mile oval at Rocky Mountain Raceway. At 13 years old it is not legal for him to be behind the wheel of a car on the streets, but at the track he is beating more experienced and older drivers.

“We are a racing family. I have been around racing for a long time. He ran a go kart out at the Larry H. Miller track for two years starting when he was four years old. Soon after that

RMR (Rocky Mountain Raceway) started the quarter midget program for kids, he progressed up through that program,” said Chaz’s father Chuck Groat.

In the quarter midget program at RMR the cars are generally half the size of a normal midget race car and run in classes with engine restriction rules. Drivers range in age from 5-16 years old. Last summer Chaz moved into a junior stinger class on the larger oval. This class is for drivers age 12-16.

He said he always wanted to drive a midget car. After

some discussion with officials the age was lowered to match what other Intermountain race tracks were offering and Chaz found a car.

“I joke with my wife that I feel like I am completely helpless. I just sit back and try to watch him do what he does,” Chuck said.

In 2016, he was invited to Meridian Raceway in Boise, Idaho to race for the first time in his midget car. He also ran his car in Pocatello, Idaho. His first main event victory came at Meridian.

This season will be his first complete season in the racing class and he has made the most of his opportunity.

Midget cars run a Ford Focus alcohol-injected engine.

At this altitude it generally has about 155 horsepower and weighs about 1,100 lbs. The engine is sealed and cannot be tampered with. The competitive edge comes from suspension set up and setting up the fuel.

Chuck owns two complete cars. He has raced alongside his son. Chaz’s racing career is funded by his parents. He also is sponsored by Powder Works Powder Coating and Roto Grip Bowling Balls.

“He kicked my butt. It was thrilling to watch. I figured this was his first year and he should just get some seat time.

He has taken to it. I think it took me three years to get my first win,” Chuck said.

Chaz captured his first main event victory Aug. 5. He was fast qualifier and started the main near the back of the pack. He patiently made his move towards the front. At one point he was nose-to-tail with his father, passing him with about five laps remaining in the event.

Natalie Waters has followed Chaz’s same path in the series. Waters is also 13 years old and lives in West Jordan.

“From a dad perspective I think these kids are doing something amazing. People should come watch what they are doing in these race cars,” Chuck said.

They plan on going to the Bullring in Las Vegas at the end of October.

“I really just look for the best opportunity. I watch the cars around me and try to figure out the best way to get around the track. It was an amazing feeling to win the main. We have an amazing car. My dad is my favorite race car driver it has to be,” Chaz said.

Chaz is in eighth grade and attends Kennedy Junior High in West Valley. He is the son of Chuck and Julie Groat.

“The thrill of it is amazing. Going 100 miles-per-hour down the track at RMR, it is exciting,” Chaz said. l

Natalie Waters is amongst the youngest drivers on the oval at Rocky Mountain Raceway. (Creative Resource & Design)

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Page 22 | October 2017

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

CAVIER TAILGATING ON A CHEAPSKATE BUDGET

by

JOANI TAYLOR

It’s here at last, football season is back, and you know what that means, tailgating.

Time to paint your face like a primal maniac, put on some music, grill some meat and have a grilling throw down in the stadium parking lot.

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Play #4 – THE SNEAKY SWAPS Use a cheaper cut of meat and cook it slow and low. Okay, I get it about the BBQ. But how about forgoing the grilling and taking your menu to barbequed pulled pork instead. Cooking the cheaper cut in a slow cooker or Instant Pot (coupons4utah.com/ instant-pot) not only saves you money, it stretches further and makes game day a snap.

And, remember amidst all that tailgating comfort food, to sneak in garden-fresh sides that are under a buck per serving.

Pay #5 – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE COLOR: Instead of worrying about expensive official team gear, visit your nearest dollar store to purchase plates and napkins in your team’s colors. Deck yourself out in solid colors without the logo. Take a quick look online for make your own game ideas that you can create in team theme, like Cornhole. There’s some easy to follow direction via DIY Network www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/structures/ how-to-build-a-regulation-cornhole-set

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Ultimately, tailgating is not about the food… well, okay, it’s about the food. But, it’s also about the people, the friendship and the experience. It’s those things that make the food taste so good.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Serving: 8-10 – Under $20 total Ingredients: • 6-7 lbs Pork Shoulder Chuck Roast • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tablespoon chile powder • 1 tablespoon paprika • 2 teaspoons garlic powder • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 large onion • 1 bottle BBQ Sauce • sturdy hamburger buns Marinade: • 1 cup chicken broth • 1 cup your favorite BBQ Sauce • 2 tablespoons liquid smoke • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 3 large garlic cloves, pressed • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1-Stir together the brown sugar, chile powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne in a small bowl. Rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder. Wrap the pork in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Place meat in slow cooker on top of slice onion.

2-Combine Marinade in a bowl and pour the marinade over the pork.

3-Cover and set on low for 8 hours. Remove the meat to a large bowl and shred with forks mix in desired amount of BBQ sauce. Serve on buns. It’s delicious topped with coleslaw. l

October 2017 | Page 23

M yWestV alleyJournal.Com

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

WEST VALLEY

A

certain terms, that playing with a Ouija board was guaranteed to beckon all sorts of demons. It didn’t help that I didn’t know Ouija was pronounced “WeeJee.” I thought I was playing Owja.

Once, my sister stayed home from church pretending to be sick and heard (cloven?) footsteps in the room above her. She swore off Ouija boards and Black Sabbath for a month or two before returning to her demonic ways.

My dad was no help. He frequently added to my levels of hellish anxiety, especially when I yelled for him in the middle of the night, certain I’d heard a demon growling under my bed.

He’d stumble into my room, look under the bed and say, “You’ll be fine as long as you stay in bed. If you have to get up, I hope you can run fast. You should probably keep your feet under the covers.”

Dad would go back to bed, leaving me absolutely terrified. So I’d wake up my sister so we could be terrified together.

On top of the constant fear of running into Satan, we had to avoid accidentally summoning Bloody Mary by saying her name three times or luring any number of evil spirits to our living

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have a tail and horns, but looked like an ordinary human. Occasionally, the Fuller Brush salesman would come to the door and I’d eye him with deep suspicion. Was it really a door-to-door salesman, or was it Satan trying to infiltrate our weak defenses.

At one point, I wished he would just show up so I could stop worrying about it. I imagined he’d knock on the door and, resigned, I’d let him in and tell him to find a place to sleep.

“But you can’t live under the bed,” I’d say. “It’s taken.” l

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Life

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s a child growing up in a strict Mormon household in the ‘70s, I spent most of my day trying not to unintentionally invite Satan into our home.

It was a struggle because according to my mom there were hundreds of things we could do that would summon the Prince of Darkness to our doorstep.

I pictured him sitting on his throne in the lowest level of glory (Mormons don’t call it “hell”), receiving an elegant hand-written note that read, “You are cordially invited to live at the Stewart home because Peri’s sister listens to Metallica pretty much every day.

Plus, Peri frequently forgets to say her prayers, she blackmailed her brother and she uses face cards to play Blackjack, betting Froot Loops and M&Ms.” I spent most of my childhood deathly afraid.

Sunday school teachers would recount true stories of children who snuck into R-rated movies only to wake up in the middle of the night to find either Jesus sadly shaking his head or Satan leering and shaking his pitchfork. I didn’t watch an R-rated movie until I was 46.

In the 1970s, Ouija boards were all the rage. My mom warned us, in no un-

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