West Jordan Journal - January 2015 - Vol. 15 Iss. 1 by The City Journals

New car dealerships line the street on Sandy’s Auto Mall Drive. Such dealerships are not an option in West Jordan under current state law.

City Officials Hoping For Legislative Help In Auto Dealership Prohibition

est Jordan City is the largest city in Utah, and one of the largest in the nation, without a car dealership. Unless the current state law governing new auto dealerships is modified or changed by legislative action, it might never get one. That’s the predicament caused by the New Automobile Franchise Act, created more than a decade ago. It mandates a barrier between new automobile dealerships with similar makes and models—a 15-mile barrier that leaves West Jordan in no man’s land regarding acquiring a dealership of most popular brands. “The act imposes specific conditions and stipulations related

warrior in pink

By Tom Haraldsen

to the establishment of new car dealerships within the state,” said Jeremy Olsen, assistant to the city manager. “It says that any party interested in establishing or expanding a new car dealership within 15 miles of an existing new car dealership must have state approval. With so many dealerships in the communities that surround us, it really limits our options.” As an example, if the city was approached by someone wanting to open a new car dealership with Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Nissan,

Officer JR Steadman

dancing dogs

Auto Dealerships continued on page 4

West Jordan Police Mourn Loss Of Fellow Officer By Tom Haraldsen

embers of the West Jordan Police Department are remembering Officer Jedediah “JR” Steadman, who was found deceased in his truck at the base of a cliff in Sevier County on Jan. 4. The discovery came after a five-day search for the veteran officer, who left his home on Dec. 30 after a reported argument with a member of his family. The 34-year-old Steadman had worked for the WJPD for seven years and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt, according to department spokesman Dan Roberts. At the time of his disappearance, family members expressed concern that he might be stranded in a remote area. That proved to be the case when his 1998 Dodge pickup truck was found just west of Emery City. Members of the Search and Rescue teams from Emery and Sevier Counties, as well as the Emery Fire Department and

Officer Steadman continued on page 4

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q u o ta b l e c o m m u n i t y :

“Over the last 18 years, we’ve been everywhere, from an

attic to a bowery to the Sugar Factory. It would just be nice to have a place to call our own.”

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Page 2 | January 2015

West Jordan City Journal

NEWS

Council Votes To Sell Old Library Property By Tom Haraldsen

or years, members of the West Jordan arts community, from drama companies to musical groups, have shuffled from one venue to another without a true home. So when Salt Lake County recently deeded the old West Jordan Library to the city in a land exchange agreement, those artisans hoped that maybe they’d be able to use the property to practice, if not perform. But a neighboring business approached city officials about purchasing the building for $1.25 million, and the council approved the purchase during its Jan. 7 meeting. There may yet be good news on the way for those artisans, however. Community Treatment Alternatives, which is located next to the building, is still finalizing the timing on purchase of the library, which West Jordan City received from Salt Lake County last year.

and the city doesn’t need $1.25 million.” Haaga stated that West Jordan City currently pays nearly $39,000 a year for venue storage. He said keeping the library building could help meet some of that need without renting other storage space. Residents took to the podium to express their thoughts as well. Rodney Kofoed, a member of the West Jordan City Band and the arts council, said the abandoned library “would make a viable place to practice. Over the last 18 years, we’ve been everywhere, from an attic to a bowery to the Sugar Factory. It would just be nice to have a place to call our own.” Celeste Stone, chairperson of the West Jordan Youth Theatre, was hoping to use the building for auditions and possibly rehearsals and performances for “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” She expressed frustration

“ The biggest part of this for me is that we

should have a well-rounded community for our youth that provides opportunities for those with a variety of favored activities—from sports to drama to music. We need to find a home.”

THE WEST JORDAN TEAM

The city gave the county property behind Fire Station 52, where the county plans to add a building as part of its health department. That left West Jordan officials wondering what to do with the old library—remodel it into a performance arts complex, or sell it? The vote to sell followed a rather lengthy public hearing, during which residents and members of the council debated the action. “First of all, I don’t think this property qualifies as being surplus,” Councilmember Jeff Haaga said. “This building is not obsolete,

over the group continually having to find, and often pay for, places to both practice and perform. “It’s such a challenge to find a place that will invite us,” she said. “The Viridian will only let us use their facility for five days in a row, and that’s not enough time to rehearse, install sets and, of course, to perform. The biggest part of this for me is that we should have a well-rounded community for our youth that provides opportunities for those with a variety of favored activities—from sports to

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Arts groups had hoped for their organizations to have a home in the former West Jordan Library, recently acquired by the city in a land swap with Salt Lake County, but the city has sold it to Community Treatment Alternatives. drama to music. We need to find a home.” But Councilmember Ben Southworth disagreed, saying “I see a difference between a want and a need.” He joined with Councilmembers Justin Stoker and Chris McConnehey in advocating for sale of the property, rather than retrofitting the building for use by the arts community. Mayor Kim Rolfe agreed with Haaga. “I think it is wrong to surplus this building right now,” he said. “Let’s keep it until we can find the matching funds to build a new facility.” However, the council approved the sale by a 5-2 vote. But, during a two-day strategic planning meeting on Jan. 15-16, Stoker led a move to take the next step in getting a performance arts complex built. Council members have instructed city officials to find a designer and develop a plan to build a $3 million theatre/ complex on a parcel of land that was part of the Sugar Factory complex. “The council is sensitive to this issue, and I believe they fully intend to get this project

underway,” said Interim City Manager Bryce Haderlie. “There are still a number of approvals that will need to be voted on, but once the sale of the library building is complete, that money will be earmarked for this project, and we’ll seek after other funding.” The proceeds from the library sale could be put into a capital support fund and then eventually be used for the new arts complex. l

uditions for the West Jordan Children’s Theatre production of“Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”will be held on Jan. 26 and 27 at West Jordan City Hall, 8000 South Redwood Road. All youth ages 8-18 are invited to the auditions, which will run from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Auditioners should come prepared to perform an upbeat Broadway song, and should come dressed appropriately for dancing. Callbacks by invitation only will be on Jan. 31. The musical will be performed April 10-20, on Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings, with a Saturday matinee. Location is yet to be determined.

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January 2015 | Page 3

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Dazzle Dogzz Delight With Dance By Marci Heugly

ot everyone can dance, but Dianne SharpRoberg has four dogs that have been trained to do some sweet moves. Owner of “Dance by Dee,” Roberg expanded her client base from humans to canines about 16 years ago. “I have found that teaching children to dance is very similar to training and working with the dogs to perform dance and Frisbee routines,” Roberg said. “I developed the ‘Dazzle Dogzz’ in 1999.” Dance by Dee, which began in 1988,

wanted to keep her busy,” Roberg said. She began to train Kachina and introduced dance moves to her talented pup. “The possibilities were endless with her.” Kachina passed away in 2007, but the Dazzle Dogzz is still going strong. “Maya is a 15-year-old border collie. She’s been our longest Dazzle Dog because she’s been performing since before she was 1. There’s Apache, a deaf blue heeler who is very athletic and intelligent. Sundance is a high-energy pure bred border collie, and Pocahontas is our latest border collie rescue. She’s just under We like to make a difference 2 years old, but has brains and talent,” Roberg said, introducing and put on a show. Half of my dogs her troupe. are rescues, and I want to remind Dazzle Dogzz performs regularly around Salt Lake people to adopt, adopt, adopt. County and has been on public stages, such as Soldier Hollow’s had a bit of a head start, but as soon as Roberg Sheepherding Classic and the 2002 Olympics. got her first border collie she knew there was “Our dogs play basketball with the kids something special about her dog. at the show. They play tetherball and golf and “Kachina was a border collie brainiac. they jump over dice,” Roberg said. “Our biggest She pushed us to do more with her, and I showy part is the grand finale where they do a

“

”

Dianne Sharp-Roberg and Apache play some high-flying Frisbee with precision as the crowd looks on. Photo courtesy of Dianne Sharp-Roberg free-flight Frisbee routine and dance.” To close the show, Roberg will remind the audience of the importance of recycling as Maya cleans up the trash and puts it in the recycle bin. West Jordan Library, at 8030 South 1825 West, will host Dazzle Dogzz on Saturday,

Jan. 24 from 3-4 p.m. Admission is free and families are welcome. “We like to make a difference and put on a show. Our dogs really connect to the kids,” Roberg said. “Half of my dogs are rescues, and I want to remind people to adopt, adopt, adopt.” l

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ON THE COVER

Auto Dealerships continued from page 1

Officer Steadman continued from page 1

Honda or Toyota, they wouldn’t get permission because dealerships of those brands already exist within 15 miles of the city. The exception would be if a current dealership of one of those brands wanted to expand into a second location in the city. “We’re pretty much hemmed in on all sides,” Olsen said. “We’re hoping we can at least get the current statute modified, but we’d really like to get it repealed.” Olsen said the city has been approached by an interested dealer who “would like to locate here. But the statute would require them to provide a lot of information and divulge a business plan, and they just don’t want the hassle.” West Jordan isn’t the only city fighting the law. Herriman and Riverton face similar challenges, as do Spanish Fork and Saratoga Springs, he said. The city has hired lobbyist Frank Pignanelli to take its case to the state legislature once it begins later this month.

sheriff’s deputies from both counties participated in a search for Steadman and his vehicle. The Sevier County Sheriff’s office said it appeared that Steadman had missed a turn and went off the road and over the side of a cliff. Law enforcement personnel gathered for Steadman’s funeral, paying tribute to a man who had been active in community events, including riding in last summer’s July 4th parade. “Officer Steadman served the community faithfully and professionally for seven years,” Police Chief Doug Diamond said. “His loss will be felt by his fellow officers, family and friends.” “We will warmly remember Officer Steadman for his many years of dedicated service to the community,” Roberts said in a department release. “Today, we lost another one of our own.” l

“We’d like to at least get into the game.” “The mayor, city council and administration have taken a position in opposition to the continued imposition to the law,” Olsen said, quoting from a position paper the mayor and council created. “It’s the city’s position that it is inappropriate for the State of Utah to involve itself in the violation of free market principles by legislatively imposing protectionism of a single sector of our economy.” The Salt Lake Valley has many auto dealerships that are spaced no more than seven miles apart. Those were created before the New Automobile Franchise Act was added to the Utah Code. “We’d really like to see this change,” Olsen said. “We’d like to at least get into the game.” l

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West Jordan City Journal

Motor squad officers, from left, Brett Madsen, Denise Vincent, JR Steadman and Scott List, participated in the city’s 2014 July 4th parade. Photos courtesy of WJPD

Hit The High Seas With Desert Star’s Pirate Parody

ust when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, Desert Star Playhouse sets sail with “Pirates of the Scaribbean: Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Fun!” This zany parody for the whole family opened Jan. 8 and runs through March 21 at the playhouse in Murray. Written by Ben E. Millet and directed by Scott Holman, “Pirates of the Scaribbean” is a delightful send-up, full of romance, nutty characters and a huge dose of misadventure. The seas of the Caribbean are infested with a scourge of pirates, and the pompous Captain Stubbing has sworn to stamp them out. He faces not only the famously eccentric Captain Jack Sprat, but also the devious and cursed Captain Barmitzvah, the Yiddish terror of the high seas. Barmitzvah kidnaps ingénue Eliza Swine and it’s up to stable boy Will Doolittle to save her. Will forges an unlikely partnership with Captain Jack and sets out on a bizarre journey to stop Barmitzvah and his goofy crew of misfit pirates. This hilarious show, packed with surprises, will really swash your buckle! The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s signature musical olios following the

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This motley crew makes up the cast of Desert Star’s newest production, “Pirates of the Scaribbean…” playing through March 21. Photo courtesy of Desert Star Playhouse show. “Awesome 80’s Olio, Part 1” features hit songs from the past mixed with more of Desert Star’s signature comedy. Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served right at your table. The menu

includes gourmet pizza,fresh wraps, appetizers, and scrumptious desserts. Desert Star is located at 4861 South State St. in Murray. Ticket information is available at www.DesertStarPlayhouse.com. l

January 2015 | Page 5

WestJordanJournal.com

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Darn Good Lemonade By Marci Heugly

andi Hudson is not just a fighter; she is a Warrior in Pink. The 35-year-old West Jordan resident was recently named a warrior because of her tenacity in fighting a complicated and deadly enemy: breast cancer. On Oct. 15, DownEAST Basics and Happy Chemo honored Hudson’s warrior status with a $1,500 grant, a $200 gift card to DownEAST and a gift basket with $1,000 worth of goodies. This was part of the seventh annual LIVE for Pink promotion held by DownEAST every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Hudson received eight nominations from family, friends and co-workers, which caught the eye of the judges. “What struck me as I was learning about these girls was the strength and beauty with what they accomplish. They have been through so much, and yet they have chosen to do things that have really elevated not just themselves, but also other people,” Ginger Johnson from Happy Chemo said in an interview on Good Things Utah. Happy Chemo coordinated with DownEAST to provide prizes specific to those who are actively involved in breast cancer treatment: a hoodie with port access, a pillow, ice cubes with vitamins inside and LympheDIVA sleeves, among other items. “Shortly before I found out about the contest, I was

diagnosed with stage four cancer, and I was getting ready for stage four treatment,” Hudson said. “This prize was something special in the middle of a challenging time; it has been wonderful.” Hudson was selected from nominees across the western United States because of her capacity to give back to the community through blogging and other efforts. She has been battling breast cancer since her first diagnosis in December 2010. “I am recording my experiences to hopefully help others through their breast cancer treatment,” Hudson states on her blog. “I decided to call the blog ‘Darn Good Lemonade’ because one of my initial responses to this ordeal is that I better learn to make darn good lemonade now that life has given me some lemons.” Her blog can be found at darngoodlemonade.com. In addition, Hudson donated part of the grant money to Metavivor, an organization that focuses its funds on metastatic breast cancer research. The rest of the money will go toward a European vacation she plans to take with her husband Mike in the spring. “I do want to stop in Rome, but the rest of what and where is up in the air right now,” Hudson said. “I wish I could say I felt amazing right now, but we’ll go when we have the time and energy to go.” l

Mandi Hudson was awarded a shopping spree at DownEAST as part of the LIVE for Pink grant. Photo courtesy of Mandi Hudson

Chamber Endorsed Businesses Of December 2014

t was an exciting month here at the Wes Jordan Chamber of Commerce in December. And one of the things that makes it exciting is new members joining our chamber. Here is the roster for the “Chamber Endorsed” businesses of December 2014:

SIGNARAMA - WEST JORDAN

Signarama is your full service sign center. They use the latest technology and highest quality products to produce custom signs for your business. They can make the perfect signs to advertise your products or to inform your customers, while keeping the image of your company in mind. They are located at 12544 S Pasture Rd. Suite G West Jordan, UT 84088. For assistance please contact: Nanette Siebach (385) 336-7446 - sales@signarama-riverton.com

LANE GROUP INSURANCE

Whether you need Home, Auto, Life, Business,or Health Insurance, Lane Group Insurance works with over 15 different insurance companies that will compete for your business, and this typically means saving you money! They are located at 870 E 9400 South STE 100, Sandy, UT 84094. For Assistance please contact: Jeff Lane at (801) 450-6405 - jlane@lanegroupinsurance.com

MOOD MEDIA

As the global leader for Experience Design Solutions, they help brands connect with their customers

by providing music, digital signage, hold music, onhold messaging, scent, integrated audio-visual, and interactive mobile marketing solutions that help our clients create an unforgettable experience for their customers. They are located at 9346 South Wisteria Way West Jordan, UT 84081 For assistance please contact: Andrea Wixson Account Executive (385) 252-9239 - andrea.wixson@ moodmedia.com - www.moodmedia.com

BLUE LINE PRODUCTS

RIBBON CUTTING Crossroads Fitness is The Best Health and Fitness Center in Utah. Website: www.fitnessutah.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossRoadsFitnessUtah

Blue Line Products has a positive impact on thousands of clients over the 6 years. Whats the IMPACT of fitting in those jeans you have? Whats the IMPACT of being able to go up the stairs easily? Whats the IMPACT of being happy and self confident with yourself? They are located at 770e Main St #346 , Lehi Utah 84043 For Assistance please contact: Dave Smith (801) 999-0075 - 1davegsmith@gmail.com - www. bluelineproducts.com

Address: 7046 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan Phone: (801) 212-9192

BERNCO MEDIA

Bernco Media bases all of their marketing efforts on an Inbound Methodology. Their goal is to create a strategy, specific to your business and goals, that you can track, and help you to become a smarter marketer. They can help you with Lead Generation, Web Development, Social Media and Content Marketing, Landing Page Creation, eBook / White-paper Development and much more. For assistance please contact: Darin “Doc” Berntson (801) 438-4055 - www.berncomedia.com

Why Should Your Business Join

the West Jordan Chamber of Commerce? Chamber Connections: Network with other business owners / managers during our weekly luncheons Referrals: We refer countless people each month to you and your business through our office and other members. Government Advocacy: We attend and monitor government meetings in order to keep you up- to-date on the most recent news, laws and ordinances that affect your business. Marketing Events: Get in front of your audience through our Business to Public events throughout the year. Taste of West Jordan, Best of West Jordan, Pumpkinpalooza and others. Business Folders: These folders are hand delivered to all businesses in West Jordan with your marketing materials. Residents Bags: These bags are hand delivered to residents of West Jordan through business to public events and our office.

Chamber Master: A software program that you can use from any computer, phone or tablet where you can log on to post printable coupons, member to member deals, job listings and where the public can find you to "Shop Local". You can also link your website, Facebook, etc. Chamber Fundraisers: Each year the Chamber chooses to participate in a community fundraiser. You can participate in the community while networking and growing your business. Business to Education Partnership Council: Network, develop and enhance relationships between local business and the education community. Government Actions and Economic Development Meetings: Network and discuss current events with Chamber Members, Municipal, County and State Government entities. And Much, Much More!!!! Contact our office at 801-569-5154 or Melissa@westjordanchamber.com for more information on becoming a member.

G O OD NEIG HBOR

NEWS Bob Hills’ photography on display in the Schorr Gallery

Stop by West Jordan’s Schorr Gallery to see the beautiful work of Sandy photographer Bob Hills. The Schorr Gallery is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and is located on the City Hall 3rd floor, 8000 S. Redwood Road. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 22. On display are a variety of subjects ranging from landscapes to abstracts to black and white images. Most of Hills’ 45-year career has been spent in commercial photography and graphic design. His experience in graphic design and advertising photography has contributed to his sense of composition and design. Hills also has a photography business and has taught photography at Weber State College.

J A N UA RY 2 0 1 5

M AY O R ’ S M E S S A G E

Working together to make great things happen As we start the new year, I find myself full of hope for the future of West Jordan. We truly are a city of greatness: great people and great resolve. I have never before witnessed such a stunning example as I did recently, when we rallied together as a community to protect the future of our city. The rally began the moment West Jordan was announced as a possible site for the relocation of the prison. The support came in many forms – from many people and entities – from within the borders of our city and beyond. And it never stopped. Not until our community was removed from the list. It’s likely that few outside of our city realized what we were capable of before this process began. But for those of us who call West Jordan home, it was inevitable. We are not just a city, we are a community, and when we stand united, we can accomplish great things. As we move forward with 2015, I would like to keep that spirit alive. I know that if we work together, we can continue to make great things

happen in West Jordan. Here at City Hall, we are working hard to keep the lines of communication open. Keep an eye on the City’s website and Facebook page for important dates and information. Check out what we are discussing in City Council; you can even listen to audio files from the meeting if you want to attend but cannot. I want to hear from you. We have even set up a new email address: mayorsoffice@wjordan. com to make it easier to reach me. Let me know what you are thinking, what we are doing right and how we can improve. This is your city, your community and your government – help us as we work to make it the best it can be. I am looking forward to great things in 2015. Best Wishes,

5600 West road widening project begins Utility work is underway on 5600 West in preparation for the road to be reconstructed and widened from 6200 South to 7000 South. Kilgore Contracting has been awarded the work and will begin by burying the overhead utility lines on the west side of 5600 West. This should begin in January with the construction of utility conduits for Rocky Mountain Power, Comcast, Century Link and Zayo Communications and continue for the next two months. In late February, 5600 West will close from the southern driveway of Walmart to 7000 South to allow the contractor to construct a new storm drain system and to begin reconstructing the roadway. Alternate routes for local traffic will be posted by the contractor. This work will be completed and the roadway will be open to the public 160 days after the closure begins.

The new five-lane roadway will include: • sidewalks on both sides of 5600 West • improved streetlight coverage along the roadway and at the intersections of 7000 South and 6200 South • a new traffic signal at the intersection of 5600 West and 7000 South • shoulders for bike lanes from 6200 South to 7000 South • an improved roadway drainage system to decrease the chances of flooding for neighborhoods adjacent to 5600 West Follow the project’s progress on WJordan.com and the city’s Facebook page: West Jordan – City Hall or email info@wjordan.com.

GOOD NEIGHBOR NEWS: WEST JORDAN NEWSLETTER

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Jan. 9 was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, when people around the country expressed their support for the 780,000 police officers across the country who put a badge on each day and go to work knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations. On average, between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty each year, 50,000 officers are assaulted in the line of duty each year, 14,000 officers are injured in the line of duty each year, and over 300 officers commit suicide each year. There is no other profession in the world, except possibly the military, where you will find these kinds of statistics. Without our law enforcement officers, chaos would reign. What would you do if you were in a car accident? Or an intruder broke into your home? Or you were assaulted and had no one to call for help? Take a minute to thank the guardians of our way of life by emailing a quick thank you to our local police department (info@wjordan.com). *Stats courtesy of the FBI National Academy Associates

January is National Radon Action Month

Mark your calendar for Comcast Cares Day April 25

According to the Environmental Protection Agency Act, exposure to radon gas indoors causes more than 200,000 deaths annually in the United Sates and is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is a natural gas that emits from uranium and is found in the geology of the Rocky Mountains. Radon is odorless and invisible but is deadly at extreme exposures. According to Radon.utah.gov, surveys indicate that approximately 30 percent of homes in Utah have the potential of being above the United States EPA recommended action level of 4 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L). If detected, radon can be mitigated so exposure is minimized. Get your test kit for just $7.95 and make sure your home is safe. Details at www.radon.utah.gov

Plan now to participate in our annual community-wide beautification project during Comcast Cares Day Saturday, April 25. Together we’ll work side-by-side from 8 a.m. to noon to beautify and improve our community. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. It’s also a perfect opportunity for Scouts and larger groups to work together. The city is fortunate to partner once again with Comcast who also provides a dollar match for each volunteer who participates. This money will be donated to a nonprofit. Last year’s event generated more than $17,000 that went toward the Sierra Newbold Playground. Your time and participation are truly appreciated. You can get your name on the list by filling out an online form at WJordan. com. A registration form will also be required and will be available at a later date. Project assignments vary from spreading bark mulch in city parks, pulling weeds, painting park pavilions, picking up trash along trails, planting trees and more. Details will be posted at wjordan.com and on the city’s Facebook page, West Jordan – City Hall or email info@wjordan.com. This event will take place RAIN or SHINE.

NO STREET PARKING DURING WINTER MONTHS

Volunteers of all ages braved the rain and helped get city parks ready for the season during last year’s Comcast Cares Day. Despite cool temperatures and rain, the City had more than 1,100 volunteers. This year’s goal is 2,000 volunteers.

Help Snowplows Keep City Streets Clear • There are over 800 lane miles of streets in the City of West Jordan. • High traffic roads are plowed first focusing on hills and intersections. • Subdivision streets are plowed last with smaller trucks, and salt is used only in extreme conditions. City Ordinance 7-3-10 prohibits parking a vehicle or semitrailer upon a street when it is snowing or snow is on the street from November 1 through April 30 of the following year. Violations will result in citations issued. If left snowbound for more than 48 hours, the vehicle is subject to impound.

GOOD NEIGHBOR NEWS: WEST JORDAN NEWSLETTER

Tips for keeping your home safe from fire By Deputy Fire Chief Reed Scharman When asked what the three main causes of fire are, my response is, “men, women and children.” Aside from the odd volcano and lightning bolt, most of what puts us at risk in our world comes down to the decisions we make and the things we do. So what can we do to reduce our risk? First, do the thing your mother always told you to do, “Pick up your toys!” Or pick up whatever is lying around and not organized in your home. Ensure that the area around your furnace and water heater is clear and that fresh air is able to get to the burners. While these appliances can be the place where a fire starts, the damaging fire is usually the result of igniting something that was stored too close. Second, put cigarettes out in water. While our community tends to have fewer smokers, many of those who do smoke will step outside to have their cigarette or cigar. The discarded butts will often end up in a metal can sitting on a wood deck. As the wind blows over the top of the can, the accumulated paper and tobacco will be ignited and fire will burst from the can. It is often a neighbor who first reports that flames are moving up the side of the house. If you light something, it is your responsibility to see that it is actually out. Third, we need to remember candle safety. Candles, and the matches and lighters you use to light them, need to be kept out of the reach of children. And a simple safety rule for adults is, “Don’t leave the flame when you leave the room.” Unattended candles on bathroom counters can lead to devastating fires. These fires often occur when the candle wax completely melts down to a liquid in a lightweight glass jar. The heat breaks the glass and the fire spreads to the counter and cabinets. These are free and simple things you can do to be safer in your home.

WATCH FOR THE 2015 ISSUE OF IMAGINE WEST JORDAN CITY MAGAZINE If you haven’t seen it already, you should soon have the new Imagine West Jordan City Magazine delivered to your door. Take a look at this community magazine that spotlights West Jordan’s businesses, local government and community. You can also link to the online version from the city’s website WJordan.com.

Shredding and e-waste recycling Feb. 7 from 10 a.m.-noon West Jordan residents can bring up to two “bankers boxes” of paper for shredding and residential electronic waste on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m.noon. Documents will be shredded on site in the west parking lot behind City Hall, 8000 S. Redwood Road. Hard drives can also be shredded if they have been removed from the computer. This service will be offered four times this year: Feb. 7, May 2, Aug. 1 and Nov. 7. Bring proof of residency or city employment (driver’s license, utility bill or city ID badge). Two glass recycling drop off bins are also available: one is in the parking lot behind Fire Station 52 at 7950 S. 1825 West and at the intersection of 7800 South and New Sycamore Drive (7025 West). More information at WJordan.com.

West Jordan Begins Consolidated Plan Process for Grant Funding During the month of December, the City of West Jordan began its planning process for the development of the city’s 2016-2020 Consolidated Plan that is required by the Department of Housing & Urban Development. This document will determine the type of areas in which future Community Development Block Grant funds will be allocated by the city during the upcoming five years. Areas identified in the 2010-2015 plan included services for homeless, counseling services, home repair, home purchase, food pantries, legal services, dental programs, and more for low- and moderate-income residents of West Jordan. The planning process will include three CDBG/HOME committee meetings to review and evaluate requests for funding under the FY 2016 CDBG program followed by a public hearing by the City Council to make funding decisions. The consolidated planning process should be completed by the end of April, and the plan will be submitted to the Department of Housing & Urban Development by May 15. Questions concerning this process can be directed to Charles Tarver, CDBG/Grants Manager, 801-569-5062 or charlest@wjordan.com

Literary Committee to Present Resume Workshop Feb. 28 The Arts Council’s Literary Committee will be presenting a resume workshop Feb. 28 at the Viridian Event Center, 8030 S. 1825 West. The workshop will be presented by John Pulver and Jared Quan who bring over 15 years of combined Human Resource experience. They will be talking about the advantages and best practices of a hybrid online and classic paper approach to resumes. Participants are encouraged to bring their resumes and note taking materials. More specific details will be available at the Event Center on the week of the event and on the city website WJordan.com.

Construction Progressing on Schedule for New Fire Station & Police Substation Construction for the new Fire Station/Police Substation at 9351 S. Hawley Park Road is underway and on schedule for a move-in date of April 1. • Painting is almost complete • Bathrooms are being tiled • The drop down ceiling grids and tiles are being installed in the living quarters • Kitchen cabinets and dorm lockers are almost complete • Furnishings have been ordered and are scheduled for delivery March 16 The new station will serve as a multi-use facility and will improve delivery of fire services and add a police presence to the area. Updates on the construction process along with photos of the progress are available at WJordan.com and on the West Jordan City Hall Facebook page.

GOOD NEIGHBOR NEWS: WEST JORDAN NEWSLETTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JA N UA RY

F E B R UA RY

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

PLANNING COMMISSION

DOCUMENT SHRED AND E-WASTE RECYCLING

City Hall 8000 S. Redwood Rd. 6 p.m.

8000 S. Redwood Road (parking lot behind City Hall) 10 a.m.-2p.m.

F E B R UA RY

NOV E M B E R

F E B R UA RY

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

GREEN WASTE PICKUP ENDS

CITY HALL CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY

F E B R UA RY

M ARC H

PLANNING COMMISSION

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

City Hall 8000 S. Redwood Rd. 6 p.m.

M ARC H

APR I L

M ARC H

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

GREEN WASTE COLLECTION BEGINS on your regular pickup day.

WEIGH BIGGEST LOSERS KICK-OFF

City Hall 8000 S. Redwood Rd. 6 p.m.

The City of West Jordan 8000 S. Redwood Rd., West Jordan, UT 84088 (801) 569-5100 www.wjordan.com

Gene Fullmer Rec Center 8015 S. 2200 West 5:30-8 p.m.

Join the conversation! Follow West Jordan – City Hall.

West Jordan Police Dept. 8040 S. Redwood Rd. West Jordan, Utah 84088 801-256-2000 801-840-4000 Dispatch

Join the conversation! Follow West Jordan – City Hall

Free residential disposal of household hazardous waste

If you come across hazardous household waste during your cleaning, remember it’s important to dispose of properly. The Trans-Jordan Landfill, 10873 S. Highway U-111, accepts a variety of hazardous waste, including: • Paint • Pesticides • Oil • Transmission Fluid • Antifreeze • Batteries • Household chemicals • Ink jet cartridges • Electronic devices Materials can be dropped off free of charge, Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. While you’re there, visit the re-use shed to see if there’s anything you might need. You’ll find paint, household chemicals, as well as lawn and garden chemicals that are still useable and free to the public. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Call Trans-Jordan Landfill at 801-569-8994 for more information. You can also report illegal dumping of household hazardous waste by calling the Salt Lake Valley Health Department tip line at 385-468-3862. Remember we all live downstream.

WestJordanJournal.com

JATC Students Win Best Of State For Mobile App By Marci Heugly

tah is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the country, not to mention countless hiking and biking trails throughout the state. It can be overwhelming to choose one trail from the many, but students at Jordan Applied Technology Center have created a new mobile app that can help simplify the process. The “Trails of Utah” app was submitted at the end of last year to Verizon’s national Innovative App Challenge. At the beginning

January 2015 | Page 11

EDUCATION

go for,” student Kennedi Kikel said. “When the app first comes up, it shows all the trails that are nearest to you.” The user can then filter through the options based on criteria such as length and difficulty of the hike, pet friendliness, rating and features on the trail. “We researched apps like this, and they didn’t really have one for Utah. We couldn’t find anything with these capabilities,” stu-

WestJordanJournal.com

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of January, the students were informed that they had won Best in State, which means that their app will advance to a regional competition later this month against students in the western United States.

dent Danielle Thueson said. “Our idea for this app was to find information about the trails of Utah.” A group of six students in Mansouri’s class worked together to come up with the

“ If we win at regionals, then Verizon will actually send programmers to work with us on building out our app. The app will then be released into the store and it would be available, which is really cool.”

“If we win at regionals, then Verizon will actually send programmers to work with us on building out our app,” said Melinda Mansouri, web/mobile app development teacher. “The app will then be released into the store and it would be available, which is really cool.” The students were constrained to strict parameters, which meant the app submissions had to fit into one of three categories: environmental, educational or health care. “Since we’re in Utah, there are so many trails out there, you never know which one to

concept and basic function of the new app. “Most of what we did here was the planning,” Mansouri said. “My students don’t get to mobile apps until fourth quarter because, to be honest, they’re hard.” Each of her classes came up with a concept to submit, and she plans to build out each app even if they don’t win. “But it would be a huge bonus if we did,” Mansouri said. “It’s funny because in most contests, Best in State is the end, but for this one, it’s kind of the beginning.” l

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Page 12 | January 2015

West Jordan City Journal

EDUCATION

Mountain Heights Academy Encourages Future Authors By Marci Heugly

wo language arts teachers at Mountain Heights Academy, based in West Jordan, have found new ways to fund advanced learning. Jenny Dawman, department chair for English language curriculum recently received a $500 grant to send 10 of her students to Teen Author Boot Camp. Jenna Ellis received money to pay for a year-long subscription to storyboardthat.com. Both grants were funded through the Association of American Educators. “AAE [Association of American Educators] is a nonprofit organization that offers a lot of services to teachers, including grants,” Dawman said. “Last year, we sent two students to Boot Camp, which we funded ourselves. This year, the grant will allow us to send 10 of our students.” The Teen Author Boot Camp is held at Utah Valley University on April 11 and goes all day. Students will attend workshops held by published authors, including New York Times bestsellers. The workshops cover variable topics that will help these young authors write their own novels one day. “In the past, I have invited a couple of published authors to come meet with my students,” Dawman said. “When I heard about

Boot Camp, I thought it would be better to attend an all-day conference than spend a couple of hours with authors. The team-writing community is a powerful experience for these students, and it’s a phenomenal opportunity to learn from published authors.” This year, the 10 selected Mountain Heights students will be able to attend at no cost to them. “We had so many students that are interested in going,” Dawman said. “The students are invited to apply, explain their financial need, what they are interested in and what they are working on. The teachers will select the 10 recipients by March 1.” Jenna Ellis used her grant money to subscribe to a website that will help her students better understand literature. “Storyboardhthat.com is a website that allows students to create stories in a simplified format,” Ellis said. “It can also be used for vocabulary acquisition, character study, etc.” Not only can the students create their own storyboards, they can use them to understand more difficult literature. “Using a storyboard like a graphic organizer helps structure students’ work into a linear and concise story. Although it feels

Jenny Dawman (left) and Jenna Ellis (right) are both language arts teachers at Mountain Heights Academy. Photos courtesy of Mountain Heights Academy easy at first, breaking down one’s thoughts into just a few cells works critical skills in prioritizing the right information and creating a good story flow,” explains the home page of storyboardthat.com. Each of Ellis’ students will have access to the website while they are in her class. “I want to use this for my Othello unit next quarter as Shakespeare is often difficult

for the students to break down,” Ellis said. “This will give them a format with which they can pull out the most important parts of the play and analyze.” “We are a solely online charter publicfunded school,” Dawman said. “We are always looking for new innovative ways to teach our students while still giving them a well-rounded junior high and high school experience.” l

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January 2015 | Page 13

SPORTS

Jaguars’ Basketball Stars Shine Through Tough Season By Greg James

t sometimes takes the darkest locations to see the brightest stars. The West Jordan girls basketball team has had a tough season, but head coach Carlson Boudreaux has seen the potential of his team. “We only have one senior and start several sophomores, just depending on the situation. We are still learning and we make mistakes. There is no doubt we are the underdog almost always, but we know we have to go out there and prove we belong on the floor,” Boudreaux said. Junior Siki Suguturaga gained valuable experience as a sophomore last season. The 5-foot-11 forward leads the Jaguars in scoring with 12.3 points per game. She scored a season high 25 points in their 43-40 win over Hillcrest Dec. 9. They overcame a three-point first half deficit to beat the Huskies for their first win of the season. “Siki was good last year, and I am sure she will be just as good for us during our region games. She has a very soft touch around the basket. We have been really working on helping her become a good player,” Boudreaux said. Sophomores Marina Latu and Zena Moeai have only been playing basketball a couple of years, but Boudreaux said they are important parts of the team.

“We have several girls that have not played basketball very long. Marin and Zena have nice touch. They give us an outside shot that will open up the middle for our inside players like Siki and Sierra (Coombs),” Boudreaux said. Latu has hit a team high eight three-pointers. Moeai has hit four. Latu scored 11 points in a 47-37 loss to Taylorsville Dec. 30. “I really like playing ball at West Jordan. Our team has a bond. I like the environment. We get lots of support from our coaches and teachers. We have goals to just keep improving,” Suguturaga said. The Jaguars compete in Region 3. Boudreaux said the girls’ teams from Brighton, Alta and Bingham could all contend for the state title. “We have a lot to prove. I love these kids. I think they are awesome young ladies. We just need to keep getting better. I love being around them,” Boudreaux said. The Jaguars entered the regular season with two preseason wins. They beat Hillcrest (43-40) Dec. 9 and followed that with a 37-36 victory over Kearns Dec. 11. The Jaguars survived a fourth-quarter rally from the Cougars, but their last-second shot missed the mark.

Siki Suguturaga scored 46 points in the Jaguars’ two victories this season. Photo courtesy of dbaphotography.com “I have learned to be confident in myself and be a good leader. The basketball skills I have learned are good, but the off the court stuff I have learned will help me the most in life,” Suguturaga said. l

Expectations High For Grizzly Basketball

he Copper Hills boys basketball team might need to borrow the invisibility cloak from Harry Potter. After last season’s state tournament quarterfinals loss to Davis, they will no longer be able to sneak up on the competition. “We have a pretty good team. Playing in the state tournament last year gave us

experience playing in an intense atmosphere. We are not going to surprise many teams this year. I look forward to us getting better as we go along,” Grizzlies head coach Andrew Blanchard said. The Grizzlies began this season winning eight of the team’s first nine games. Their loss was to Herriman 70-63 on Dec. 5, a game that they trailed by 13 heading into the fourth Grizzlies junior Preston Sanchez is the team’s leading scorer quarter. Sophomore Stockton Shorts and and helped lead them into the state tournament last season. junior Preston Sanchez combined for 28 points in the loss. Photo courtesy of dbaphotography.com The Grizzlies traveled to San Diego again this season, to participate in the Surf ‘n Slam holiday tournament Dec. 27-30. In the tournament, they beat County Day, La. 54-52, but lost their final two games, (59-56) to Granite Bay, Calif. and 59-55 to Bergen Catholic, N.J. Sanchez is the team’s leading scorer. He is averaging 14.8 points per game. Blanchard said he is a spark plug on the team. “We have a lot of players that contribute big for us. They are all spark plugs. We really want to give Porter (Hawkins) opportunities to score inside, and Charlie (Olsen) has been gaining in confidence. We have some high expectations for him. We really pride ourselves in being prepared to face our opponents,” Blanchard said. Olsen, a junior, has hit 26 threepointers to lead the team. He scored a

By Greg James

career 21 points in the Grizzlies (82-47) victory over Taylorsville Dec. 19. “I am working on my shot. I have been getting to the gym and throwing up as many shots as I can. I have been working on my form. Our team really does not feel any pressure. We just want to relax and enjoy the season,” Olsen said. Junior 6-foot-8 center Hawkins has averaged 4.9 rebounds per game and 13.5

points. The Grizzlies began play in Region 3 Jan. 13 with a 66-51 loss to Brighton. “These are great kids. They have a 3.7 team grade point average, well above our team goal of 3.5. These kids have a good influence on the team and on our school,” Blanchard said. The state tournament is scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 23 at Weber State University. l

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West Jordan City Journal

WEST JORDAN SENIOR CENTER NEWS

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he West Jordan Senior Center is located at 8025 South 2200 West. Phone 801-5617320 or visit www.westjordanseniorcenter. com for more information. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch served at 11:45 a.m. for a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone 60 and over. Lunches are given out on a first-come, firstserved basis. They also offer an alternative lunch daily without a reservation. If you are looking for something fun and rewarding to do this year, why not pull out the musical case hiding in the closet and join the West Jordan Senior Band? They rehearse Fridays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the West Jordan Senior Center. They are looking for new instrumentalists of all kinds. They perform at retirement centers and rehabilitation centers. “It is one of the most rewarding things in music I have done” is the consensus of the band members. Just come and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow citizens who want to improve the quality of life for others through music. For more information, contact the center. Jan. 27, 11 a.m. – Beach Party. Beat the Winter Blues and come for a beach party. Bob Shorten will be here to play some Beach Boys music and other fun songs. Come play beach volleyball and have lemonade and s’mores. February 2, 11:45 a.m. – Groundhog Day Presentation. Celebrate Groundhog Day. Enjoy a short presentation on the history of this event by John Robson. Let’s see what the groundhog has to say about spring. February 4, 2 p.m. – Sit and Sew. Bring in

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your own items to work on and enjoy some uninterrupted sewing time. Thursdays, Feb. 5 to March 19, 1 to 3 p.m. Living Well with Chronic Conditions. You are invited to participate in a series of workshops for people that suffer from a chronic disease such as: diabetes, arthritis, cholesterol, depression, etc. (This class is being taught in Spanish.) Los invitamos a que participen en el programa Tomando Control de su Salud un taller gratuito para personas que tengan alguna enfermedad crónica como: diabetes, artritis, colesterol elevado, presión arterial, depresión, etc. Jueves, 5 de Febrero to 19 de Marzo, 1 a 3 p.m. Registración Requerida. Para más información acerca de los talleres de Tomando Control de su Salud llamar a Erika al, (385)468-3088. Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. -- Heart Health Nutrition. Presentation by Harmon’s dietician Jonell Masson. l

New Eagle Scout Congratulations to Ryan Waddell on obtaining the rank of an Eagle Scout. Ryan was honored and presented his award at a Court of Honor held on Sept. 23. Ryan’s Eagle project consisted of collecting and donating children’s clothes and toys to the Family Support Center Crisis Nursery. Ryan is 14 years old. He is the son of proud parents, Paul and Amanda Waddell.

The Cleaning Supplier Has Moved The Cleaning Supplier has moved from 8973 South 1300 West to 6904 South Redwood Road in the Target shopping center next to Papa Murphy’s. Phone: 801-562-2915

January 2015 | Page 15

WestJordanJournal.com

MONEY ... DID THAT GET YOUR ATTENTION? By Joani Taylor

he mention of same usually does. When discussing the subject I prefer using frugal instead of cheap, thrifty over tightwad and penny-wise as opposed to penny-pincher and the word parsimonious is strictly for the dictionary, although I must admit the phrase “Buddy, can you spare a dime?” has a certain ring to it. Finding a great bargain or saving a dollar has always been an automatic pleasure for yours truly. I suppose this is rooted from childhood, where I learned early on that having money meant saving money and that can require some creativity. For example, you know those brown spots that show up in your lawn in the heat of summer and watering does not make them go away? Diagnosis: fungus. Ever priced fungicide for fungus treatment? I did, and the price made me break out in a sweat and my hands began to tremble. That hasn’t happened since I heard that Coca Cola was changing its formula. If you remember that, than you were around when surfing meant going on a vacation to California. At any rate, as I considered my options for treating fungus it quickly became obvious that it would be less expensive to buy a can of green

spray paint and paint the brown spot to match the rest of the lawn. Voila, problem solved. With Valentine’s Day approaching I find myself reverting to my economical mindset to weigh the rewards of showering loved ones with tokens of affection. I show my hubby a loving gesture by giving the household broom and mop a rest, in favor of watching my favorite television program, which is whatever football game he is watching at the time. Still, there are Valentine favors that might be considered useful for the prudent shopper. Make “Conversation Hearts” using colored paper, writing the same sorts of silly and sassy messages that are found on the candy versions and then place them all over the house, in the sock drawer, next to the toothpaste, in a shoe, under the pillow. On the night before Valentine’s Day, sneak up and write a message of love on his side of the bathroom mirror with red lipstick. Then put the lipstick on and put kisses all over it. Scatter rose petals in a trail to a special gift. The gift can be something as small as conservation hearts laid out with a sexy message on the bed. It may seem cliché but

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any girl will love this and three roses is a much better bargain than a dozen. Have a picnic on the living room floor. Enjoy some fried chicken, potato salad and a Coke or crackers, cheese and wine. Valentine’s falls when it’s still cold outside so you could throw in the “you’re my ray of sunshine” line. Create a love song playlist and get one of those headphone splitters where you both can enjoy the music through your earbuds. Then give each other a massage. If you need some ideas for music there is a list of 100 romantic and kissing songs on www.coupons4utah. com/lovesongs. Now, in regards to Valentine’s Day and love: I have some advice for those in search of companionship. First, you must recognize the well-established fact that the probability of meeting someone that would be receptive to your advances is directly proportional to you being with another date or with a friend who is more attractive than you and remember, when your romantic competitor is down, kick them. That’s the frugal wisdom for this month. l

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Take Two Aspirin By Peri Kinder

’ve reached the time of life where parts of my body randomly fall apart. I’ll wake up feeling fine, but by the end of the day I’ve got a dislocated shoulder, bunions and smallpox. That’s all well and good, but 18 months ago we lost our health insurance, so now we carefully scrutinize each symptom to see if it’s really necessary to see a doctor. Is the ache in my chest a heart attack or that spicy burrito from Taco Bell? Is my cough a result of the disgusting Utah winter air, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? For Christmas, I asked Santa for the deluxe edition Fisher-Price doctor kit. Now I can set my own bones, remove any suspicious lumps with a melon baller, and unless I’m leaking blood from my armpits, I can avoid medical offices and expensive procedures for a while. But this time of year always reignites the discussion in our home regarding health insurance. We’re two basically healthy adults who experience the occasional strep throat or flu, and we visit our docs for annual checkups that we pay for out-of-pocket. So far we’ve survived (fiscally and literally). However, once again we have the “opportunity” to buy into an “affordable” health care plan. After talking with insurance experts, our monthly premium will be equivalent to two car payments, or one payment on a really cool car. At around $700 a month, once you add in our $5,000 deductible

(each), that adds up to nearly $20,000 a year. So we’d be betting thousands of dollars that my husband or I will have a horrific medical experience this year. And I thought gambling was illegal in Utah. This health insurance discussion has done everything but ensure my health. The thought of paying those high premiums causes insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure and the desire to eat copious amounts of comfort foods. Because I’m a writer (which doesn’t involve much danger besides nasty paper cuts), as long as I avoid sick people or falling pianos, I’m sure I’ll be fine. So, I’ve devised my own healthcare program that will save me thousands of dollars.

First, I’ve taken to wearing a bike helmet, knee pads and wrist guards everywhere I go. Second, I’ve invested in a nurse’s outfit, a first-aid kit, face masks, vitamin C tablets and gallons of hand sanitizer. Third, I will continue using WebMD to diagnose and treat everything from emotional exhaustion to rare infectious diseases. WebMD comes in handy when I’m pretty sure I’m dying, but just want a second opinion. Fourth, if I happen to break a bone that I can’t set myself, I will drive my car into a light pole so my car insurance will cover it. Finally, I will ask the universe to keep me healthy and safe this year. Because Oprah said that works. The definition of health insurance reads, “A type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses that are incurred by the insured.” It doesn’t include the disclaimer that says, “Insurance kicks in only after you’ve paid premiums and deductibles equivalent to the purchase of a Harley Davidson, a 10-day Hawaiian vacation and the complete DVD set of ‘Dr. Who.’” My husband and I have gone over our budget, trying to eliminate unnecessary expenses like dairy products, new socks, 24-hour electricity and pomegranates. But unless we win the not-yet-approved Utah lottery, we won’t be forking out thousands of dollars for health insurance. l