www.TheCrossroadsJournal.com
January 11,
2014
February 8, 2014
CONNECTING EAGLE MOUNTAIN, SARATOGA SPRINGS AND THE CEDAR VALLEY
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EM Mayor Response to Officer Shooting
As most of you know, one of the Utah County Sheriffs assigned to Eagle Mountain was recently shot and killed while stopping to help a stranded motorist on the side of the road. Our city has a strong relationship with the Utah County Sheriffs office and we want you to know how we feel. This is the letter that was delivered to Sheriff Tracy today. Sheriff Tracy, As you know, Eagle Mountain City has counted on and relied upon the Utah County Sheriffs office to serve and protect our residents since our inception. We are grateful for this long-standing partnership. We believe that the
Utah County Sheriff deputies are our team members in every sense and our hearts are broken with the loss of Sgt. Cory Wride. As the incoming mayor, I have met Sgt. Wride, though I did not know him well. However, as a veteran of the armed services and now as a public servant, I know the spirit of the oath that Sgt. Wride took almost 20 years ago. It is a noble and serious commitment. Your organization has a heritage of faithful service to this community, and we want you to know that we stand beside you in your time of great loss. We stand beside you and offer our hand to steady you and to lift you up as you grieve the loss of your
brother. We cannot comprehend the senseless and cowardly act that has taken place, so we choose to focus on that which we can understand: the love, service, and sacrifice a great man has made to serve and protect our community. Our heart breaks for you and for Sgt. Cory Wride’s family, and we are ready to help in any way necessary. All you need do is ask and we will be there for you. With sorrow and admiration, Mayor Christopher Pengra John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Saratoga Springs Salute to Service
Candlelight Vigil
The Mayor, City Council and Staff of Saratoga Springs would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Sergeant Cory Wride. We would also like to send our best wishes to Sergeant Sherwood as he recovers from his injuries. We are thankful to all of the men and women who put their own lives at risk to serve our communities throughout the nation daily and will continue to pray for their safety.
A Great Man Gone Too Soon
When I was asked to share my thoughts on Sgt. Cory Wride a range of emotions went through A candlelight vigil was me. First, great love and appreheld Monday, February 3 ciation for all of the time and at 7 p.m. at Rockwell High energy that he spent here in Eagle Mountain keeping us safe. Second, in memory of Sgt. Cory extreme sadness for the loss of such Wride and in support of an amazing person. He was well Deputy Greg Sherwood respected by our residents as well and the Wride family. as his peers. Third, frustration that such a senseless act could occur Mayor Pengra, Family and take a wonderful family man members and members of away from his family too early. the Utah Co.Sherrif dept Cory first came to serve in Eagle Mountain in 2007. I still remember shared memories. the first day I met him. He was quiet and unassuming. He just wanted to get to work. The next time I met him was in the middle Sergeant Wride, we celebrate your life and your legacy. We express our grief and our heartfelt love to of a crisis in our city in 2008. He your family, friends and coworkers. When you were senselessly shot by a coward unwilling to live with handled that specific incident the consequences of his actions, this world lost a hero. Every day you pinned on your badge and strapped beautifully and we were able to on your gun as a testament of love to the community you served. Now you can walk the streets of heaven preserve the lives of all involved. on your last patrol – streets that are safer now that you’re there. His leadership skills were amazing. When your wife doesn’t hear the thump of your boots kicking off or the Velcro of your vest being Those that served under him trusted undone at the end of a shift, we pray she will be comforted. When your children ache for their father, we him implicitly, and would follow pray their pain will be eased. Law enforcement lost someone that can never be replaced. Sergeant Wride, him wherever they needed to go. As with all deputies that serve in we salute you and the ultimate sacrifice you made for us. Eagle Mountain they are here for To the Utah County Sheriffs Department, we offer our support and our prayers. Thank you for your a short term assignment, typically brave men and women serving our communities and for the sacrifices made on behalf of our safety. two years. Then, they move on to Sergeant Wride, go with the angels and may your legacy keep you forever close to those you love. other assignments. Cory did just -Corporal Matt Schauerhamer, Saratoga Springs Police Departmentthat and left us for a time to handle TheCrossroadsJournal.com another assignment. When he
Tribute to Sergeant Cory Wride
completed that assignment he asked to come back to Eagle Mountain. I remember the first time I saw him back in the city. I pulled over to say hello and welcome him back home. You see, once you have served in Eagle Mountain you are forever a part of our family. Cory was very much a part of our Eagle Mountain family. I enjoyed him immensely. He was a man that exemplified dedication, honor and integrity. He deeply loved his family, and genuinely cared about eveyone he came in contact with. I appreciated the opportunity to see him in action. I am grateful that his family shared him with us for a short period of time. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and those that served with him. I wish a speedy recovery to Deputy Greg Sherwood. I love and appreciate all those men and women who chose to serve their communities. But my heart is with those of the Utah County Sheriff’sOffice, especially those that are serving or have served in the Eagle Mountain Division. Please let them know that they are appreciated.Former Mayor of Eagle Mountain, Utah
Heather Jackson
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Saturday, February 8, 2014
The Saratoga Springs Arts Council and City Celebrations Committee have announced the details for the Winter Festival
Fire and Ice On Friday, Feb. 7 from 6-9 p.m. Join us for ice skating (bring your own
skates) or learn how to play broom ball. There will be entertainment, hot chocolate, lots of ice and of course...fire (bring your own chairs and s’mores supplies). Both events will be held at the Marina (156 E. Harbor Park Way)
The Saratoga Springs Business Alliance Annual Awards Luncheon The Saratoga Springs Business Alliance hosted their first annual awards luncheon today. Vern Pyne was awarded the Person of the Year Award. Saratoga Auto Parts was awarded the SSBA Spirit Award. TalonsCove was awarded the Business of the Year.
SS Youth City Council Day
Members of the Saratoga Springs Youth City Council attended the Day at the Legislature event hosted by the Utah Utah League of Cities and Towns and participated in a mock committee meeting discussing technology in school. Front row (L to R): Megan Sherman, Anna Britsch, Kelsey Weaver, Brevin Harrison Second row (L to R): JaNae Weaver, AnnElise Harrison (advisor) Spencer Crump Back row (L to R): Owen Jackson (advisor), Janette Crump (advisor).
Meet Linda Peterson, EM Public Information Director Danielle Palmer Staff Writer
You may be wondering who posts the public information on the city Facebook page, or who posts the videos for city meetings onto YouTube. Well, when attending any Eagle Mountain public meeting or event, you may have noticed a familiar face: Linda Peterson’s face. Linda Peterson began working for the city in a part-time, work-from-home position, where she was responsible for publishing monthly city newsletters and contributing content to the city website. She also handled media and community relations. Her position has grown along with the city over the past seven years. She is now the full-time Public Information Director. Communication has increased dramatically and become very fast paced with online communication, especially since the prevalence of smart phones. The changes are exciting and challenging, but Peterson says she enjoys the community inter-
action. “We have wonderful, service-oriented people in Eagle Mountain,” Peterson said. “It’s an exciting place to be. As part of a newer city, I’ve seen a lot of firsts. It’s fun to see positive development and growth. I get to work with awesome people. The city team is like a second family. They are very supportive and help me do my job well.” Peterson was born and raised in southern California and grew up in Rialto, a city about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. She worked for a city for her first time during college as a police emergency dispatcher for Fontana, CA. There she learned how to remain calm in emergency situations and under time pressures, how to help distraught or angry people, and how to best prioritize. This experience, she says, helped her to choose to major in communication. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University with an emphasis in Journalism and Public
Relations, and obtained an internship with NBC news in L.A. and Entertainment Tonight. “I’ve always loved writing,” Peterson said, “and was interested in pursuing a career in news and entertainment.” Entertainment Tonight was filmed at Paramount Pictures, which led to her post-college jobs at Paramount in guest relations. “I started out as a page, like Kenneth on 30 Rock but not that weird, and then in film publicity,” Peterson said. She has fond memories of her time at Paramount, but left there when she realized she needed to choose between dedicating her life to her career or to her family. “I chose a personal life and met my husband shortly after I quit my job.” A couple years after getting married, she and her husband Brent moved to Park City, UT, and then moved to Oakley. She was an elementary schoolteacher for seven years and loved the experience. After having her first son, she quit teaching and moved to Eagle Mountain eight and a half years ago. She now has two sons, ages five and eight. Peterson covered community news for the Daily Herald until the city approached her in 2006 about a community relation’s position, and the adventure with her always-adapting position began. Peterson wants all Eagle Mountain residents to know that she is available as a point of contact for the city.
If you have questions or concerns and aren’t sure who to contact, you can start with her. The city is focused on providing better access to information in order to address community needs. Peterson said the best way to contact the city is firsthand rather than through second-hand social media or other media sources. “I can’t promise you will always get the answers and resolutions you hope for, but you will be heard and every possible consideration will be given in my response,” she said. Linda Peterson can be reached at lpeterson@emcity.org or 801358-1175.
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Saturday, February 8, 2014
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Freezin’ for a Good Reason: The Special Olympics in Utah Jennifer Klingonsmith Staff Writer
Later this month, many brave souls will eagerly jump into the frigid waters of Utah Lake. Civic leaders, police officers, firefighters, and residents will all freeze in order to raise money for Utah’s chapter of the Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge is an annual tradition in Saratoga Springs and is one of the Special Olympics’ more successful fundraisers. Although most residents know of the Special Olympics program, many are unaware of the number of activities and competitions that are offered to Utah’s children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The mission of Special Olympics Utah is to provide year-round training and
competition in a variety of Olympic-type events. There are 15 individual and team sports including skiing, cycling, basketball, soccer, golf, and volleyball. Participants compete at local, area, and state levels. Special Olympics Utah competitions for the above sports take place in the Winter and Summer Games, as well as in a golf tournament, and at the Fall Sports and Snowball Classics. At a recent Saratoga Springs city council meeting, Amy Hansen, President and CEO of Special Olympics Utah (SOUT), introduced another SOUT program funded by Polar Plunge donations—Project UNIFY. Project UNIFY seeks to rally young people to the SOUT cause. Project UNIFY is a school-based program that
brings young people of all abilities together through Special Olympic activities. The goal is authentic, social interaction. SOUT is one of the first Special Olympic programs in the United States to partner with a state high school activities association. Local high schools involved in Project UNIFY include Lehi High School and Lone Peak High School. In order to fulfill its mission, SOUT relies heavily on volunteer efforts. Hansen reported that her organization used more than 4,000 volunteers last year who donated over 300,000 hours. Volunteer positions include area directors, coaches, fund raisers, and event planners. More information about volunteering with SOUT can be found at www.sout.org.
If interested in “taking the plunge,” contact Victor Meier at 801.363.1111. The Polar Plunge will take place at the
Saratoga Springs Pelican Bay Marina on February 22. Registration begins at 9 a.m., the Plunge begins at 10:30 a.m.
Pioneer Crossing Extension Slated for Fall Completion
Jennifer Klingonsmith Staff Writer
Saratoga Springs’ newest stretch of roadway will connect Pioneer Crossing to SR-73 at 800 West. The Pioneer Crossing Extension will cut diagonally through what is currently a large piece of farmland. This extension, like the existing section of Pioneer Crossing, will have four
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lanes and a 26-foot median with turn lanes. There will also be a 12-foot biking trail. One of the more unique aspects of the projects is the creation of a connector road that will join Crossroads Boulevard (SR-73) with the Pioneer Crossing Extension. Drivers will no longer be able to travel directly from Redwood Road heading west to SR-73, without being di-
verted for a short distance onto the Pioneer Crossing extension. UDOT is presently working on project design and will select a contractor this spring. The extension is expected to be complete by this fall. The completion of Pioneer Crossing will open up future areas of commercial growth in Saratoga Springs.
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The Wendy K Team Danielle Palmer Staff Writer Long time readers of the Crossroads Journal may have noticed an advertiser that has seemed to become a permanent part of the paper. The Wendy K Real Estate Group has been advertising with us since the very first issue of the paper, through thick and thin. “It’s helped us to let residents know we are still here and where to find us.” Wendy said. We wanted to tell you a little more about her and her business. Wendy K has been in real estate for fifteen years now. Her brotherin-law introduced her to the career
when she first moved to Utah from West Virginia. She worked as his assistant, fell in love with the profession and continued. “I love the interaction with people and helping them meet their goals to find homes for their families.” Wendy said. She worked for the original developers of the Ranches in Eagle Mountain, selling the lots and new construction. “What’s interesting about Eagle Mountain is that probably about 50% of our moveup homes are from people who already live in Eagle Mountain or Saratoga Springs.” Wendy stated, “People have certain neighborhoods where they want to continue living and lots of them just move
up in their same communities.” This is pretty unique to this area because in most other parts of Utah, people who are looking for a new home are moving to a completely different place. Eagle
EM City Council Meeting 1-21-2014 Danielle Palmer Staff Writer The City Council policy session convened at 7:00 pm, January 21, 2014. Announcements: Miss EM Pageant Orientation, Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10 am, for young ladies ages 17-24. Questions go to Melissa Smith at 801-735-7325. There were no public comments, and the mayor proceeded to the Appointments: Fionnuala B. Kofoed as Eagle Mountain City Recorder, and David Mortensen as Eagle Mountain City Treasurer. Adam Bradley moved to approve, which passed unanimously, and they took the oath and were sworn in by May-
or Pengra. Mayor Pengra wanted to address a few concerns about details in the Consent Agenda to clarify and Paul Jerome went through these details. Tom Westmoreland moved to approve the agenda and this passed by unanimous vote. The Purchase Agreement and Interlocal Agreement with the UFA, (tabled from last meeting to allow transparency time), were approved by unanimous vote. These agreements formalized the transfer of EM’s two fire stations, as well as other assets and personnel. The council also unanimously approved A Resolution to Amend the Consolidated Fee
Schedule, with one change. The amendment decreased the Solid Waste Fee for garbage collection by a dollar, and increased the Storm Drain Fee by a dollar, to better reflect actual costs. It also included an increase to the Electric Rescheduling Fee from $25 to $50 to recover the true cost to the Energy Department and bring the fee in line with the Building Department’s Re-inspection fee. It included three additional changes pertaining to the library: a $2 fee for wavy/ wrinkled pages upon books returned, a $1 fee per scan, and $1 fee for every half hour of computer usage by someone without a library card. This should
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Mountain and Saratoga Springs residents seem to love living here. Wendy K recently married Jeff Corbin, so you may notice a new addition to her business name, but she will remain Wendy K to keep her familiarity. She is part of the Eagle Mountain Planning Commission and has enjoyed being able to bring her understanding to the table. Developers want to know more about what home buyers want. “I have the insight as to what is important to the buyers.” Wendy said, “I think the city is heading in a great direction. New builders are coming out and they are putting together some really exciting projects. I’d like to continue to see that and keep up with the newest trends for building homes that people are excited to live in.” Wendy said the parks and trails are
a huge draw to the area and as this is kept in high priority, the city can continue its growth. She is also excited about the commercial interest for the area. As a long-time member of the community, staying involved and serving on various committees, Wendy was nominated for Eagle Mountain Woman of the Year last year. “I am planning on working in Eagle Mountain for a very long time.” Wendy said, “My kids are all adults now and my children are now buying homes in Eagle Mountain. I love the community and how it’s a great place to stay and retire. It’s a good place for my kids to stay too, and for families to grow. It can be a place where no one ever wants to leave.” See Wendy K’s ad on the back page of the Crossroads Journal.
encourage more people to get a card, which CM Burnham stated would help with library certifications. There was more discussion and elaboration on the item. CM Bradley asked if there was any possibility for more savings, and Paul Jerome and Mayor Pengra responded by saying they didn’t think lowering rates even more now would be wise as they may just have to raise them again. CM Burnham moved to approve with a stipulation that the library computer fee not be in effect until March 1st, and this motion carried unanimously. A Bid Award to InterPlan for the EM City Master Transportation Plan Update was approved by unanimous vote. Chris Trusty stated the update hadn’t been made by an outside, unbiased source for years, and was over-
due. Out of the three proposals, staff recommended InterPlan. A conversation then was made about which councilmember are assigned to what committees. Assignments are as follows: Adam Bradley to the Planning Commission and the Military and Veterans Board, Ryan Ireland to the Library Board and the Senior Council, Donna Burnham to the Youth Council, Tom Westmoreland to the Economic Development Board and the Parks and Recreation Board, and Richard Steinkopf to the Public Works Board and the Cemetery Board. CM Ireland moved to adjourn the meeting, which ended at 7:55 pm. Please visit the city website for more details, or watch the meeting in its entirety on the city’s YouTube channel.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
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Introducing Councilman Bradley
Danielle Palmer Staff Writer
Another new face on the EM City Council is newly elected council member, Adam Bradley. Bradley has been an Eagle Mountain resident since 2008 and lives here with his wife, Melissa, and three children. Bradley was born in Iowa, but moved soon and often in his first years of life because his father served in the US Army. His family eventually settled in Fairfax, VA, just twenty minutes from the US Capitol. “I loved D.C.,” Bradley said, “not so much the politics, but the capitol being so near was a uniquely patriotic experience.” With the capitol so close, some of Bradley’s high school friends were Pages who worked inside the House and Senate, and would often take him along inside the buildings. He once met Senator Orrin Hatch in the tunnels that run underneath the capitol building. He participated in other things like sports, lacrosse and wrestling, but especially valued the opportunity he had to be more immersed in the political scene at such a young age. “It’s one of my favorite cities in the world,” Bradley states. “Even having grown up there, I literally find something new every time I go.” With his job in the airlines, Bradley is able to live anywhere he wants in the country since
pilots don’t need to live near their base city. However, he and his wife Melissa decided to base in Salt Lake and moved to Eagle Mountain. He had friends living in Eagle Mountain and he remembers really liking the area and the community during his visits with them. “We fell in love with the area and the economics of it.” He recalls, “We could buy a nice, brand new home for the price of an older home in other parts of Utah county, and we loved the neighborhood near our friends.” Outside of work, Adam says he’s a typical outdoors guy but not necessarily the hunting or fishing type. He refers to it as the typical “Eagle Mountain type of outdoorsy.” He likes to camp, but doesn’t say he’s a camper. “I’ve gotten more into guns lately because many of my friends here are gun enthusiasts.” Bradley went on to say, “If I could spend time with anything outside of hanging with family or traveling, it would be mountain biking and snowboarding. Bradley shared one memorable experience that relates to his mixed feelings regarding politics. His mother’s cousin was married to Bill Frist Sr., former Senator representing Tennessee and Senate Majority Leader from 2003-2007. Because of this relationship, his mother was once invited to an Inaugural Ball, and his dad wasn’t inter-
ested in going, so Bradley went in his place. “I got a glimpse of big politics and the pomp and circumstance of it all.” Bradley recalls, “Part of me thought it was cool, but another part of me asked why we were wasting so much time and energy on patting ourselves on the back.” Political parties are thrown using private donations, but Bradley still felt the money could have been put toward better purposes. “It was fun and exciting but I still felt it was a bit of a waste. I was impressed but not impressed at the same time.” The experience has shaped the way Bradley feels about government today. “I never considered politics until about January 2013,” Bradley confides. Having recently been released from a church calling that took up a great deal of time, Bradley felt that he now had the time to get involved with the community in a different way. “I’ve had friends who’ve served in other city councils in Utah and liked seeing the background side of things from their perspective but never considered doing it myself.” Throughout the years, Bradley has always sought ways to be more involved, even with his career. When Bradley was first hired on at SkyWest Airlines, he decided to expand out to the airline training departments, which turned into a fulltime job. “In
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every job I’ve had in the past 15 years, I’ve found other ways to get involved outside of my own job,” he said. “I don’t just show up to work and do my job, but find other ways to make a difference and be involved.” “The biggest thing that guides me in my decisions for the city is personal freedom.” Bradley stated, “It all comes down to the freedom to choose what you want to do when you want to do it. I want to refresh the ideas of personal freedom in Eagle Mountain. We don’t need government in most of our daily lives, we need to encourage its shrinking. Politically, we get used to the government giving us things and being where they shouldn’t be and slowly we socially accept it. Government is here to protect freedoms, not overstep them.” At a recent budget meeting, the council was asked to envision what they would love to see Eagle Mountain as in ten years. Adam Bradley said he would like to see Eagle Mountain leading Utah as a good example by not participating in big government. He encourages retail in the area because we cannot live on home building alone, but he would like to see it grown organically. “Our taxes will be lower if we can get more retail, but we can’t impose government opinion in who should come or where they should build or what they should do.” He wants to
see Eagle Mountain streamline its good reputation as a nice, efficient, and friendly place for both retailers and builders and the residents. He wants the city’s reputation to continue improving. “I love it here, being a part of the city.” He said, “I love participating, and I encourage everyone to participate.” He understands city council meetings can be difficult to attend, but encourages participation any way residents can. “Call me, email me, stop me on the street.” Bradley says, “There has been a time when I was apathetic about city involvement but I could never make any difference that way. If we can change people’s opinions about apathy, more people would get involved.” You can email your City Council members any time. Councilman Bradley can be reached at abradley@emcity.org.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
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Eagle Mountain’s FY’15 Budget Process Contributor Lee Gillenwater January marked the beginning of the 2014–2015 or Fiscal Year 2015 (FY’15) Budget process for Eagle Mountain City. Eagle Mountain’s fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 31st each year and the process of soliciting ideas and setting priorities runs from January to June 17th.
Last Year
Anyone interested in seeing the specific requests from each department head can review the video of the meeting at the city’s website: www.emcity.org
•The Building Department expressed a need for more staff to help manage the increase in new construction as well as a desire to move to a paperless system to streamline the process for developers and builder. •The Library asked for support in meeting the criteria for full accreditation which comes with both direct monetary rewards as well as the ability to qualify for grants in the future. •Parks & Recreation asked that finishing the Mid Valley ballpark be made a high priority and expressed the need for additional manpower as well as an additional vehicle. •Special Events asked for new ‘A’ frame signs, more storage and a dedicated vehicle as well as a part time bus driver for the seniors. •HR’s big request was for a time and attendance system. •City Administration expressed a need for replacement servers, a new copier to replace a rather old one in administration, and a back end system for the security cameras. •Planning would also like to streamline many of the processes that currently require developers to come into the city offices and meet in person with the planning department. Online tools may make that process more convenient for the developer and more efficient for the city. •The Energy Director asked for increased security to combat some thefts they’ve suffered in the past year. They would also like to budget some more customer service training for their team so they can better serve the community. •The Recorder’s office asked for some improvements to the audio system in the council chambers. The need for those improvements was rather evident in the meeting. They also requested some more storage or shelving to safely and securely store documents. •Public Information asked that we invest in the ability to stream City Council meetings online. The service suggested would also index the video to the minutes allowing for quick retrieval and review of the video of any line item on the agenda. Also proposed was a service to archive all of the City’s Social Media posts to better comply with GRAMA requirements. They suggested the City consider a community engagement tool which would help the city engage the community better moving forward. Finally the Public Information Director asked for some specific equipment that would significantly improve her ability to do her job. •The Sheriff’s Department asked for an additional deputy. They said they haven’t increased manpower in over seven years and that with our increased population the need is now. They suggested that monies paid to the city from Alpine School district for School Resource Officers could be used to offset the additional costs. •The Utility Billing Department asked for a new printer and better maintenance on the mobile collector that takes utility meter readings. •The Finance Director requested customer service training for the utility billing department as well as more training for the accounting staff on GAAP compliance. •Mayor Pengra was specifically concerned with the wave of development in Eagle Mountain outpacing the manpower we have in place. He suggested we find ways to leverage technology as well as improving processes and procedures to increase efficiencies to do more with the people in place. He requested the city consider purchasing two new GIS units as well as a GIS hub. He wanted the city to make a high priority of roads maintenance and to try and finish a parks project that had community wide value instead of making incremental progress on a number of small and diversified projects. Finally he requested that we investigate some improvements to our fleet maintenance, specifically looking at the advantages to doing oil changes and other general maintenance in house. The requests shared at the Goal meeting were just a starting point. From here each department head will meet with the budget committee made up of the Mayor, the City Administrator, the Assistant City Administrator and the Finance Director. From there they will continue to prioritize each departments’ requests, balance them with the desires of the community and the funds available and move toward a preliminary budget. The Preliminary Budget will be reviewed by the City Council in the April 15th work session and made available to the public on May 1st.
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The current FY’14 budget is $28.5 Million. The money came from a number of sources including $19.9 Million from Utilities; $4.1 Million from Taxes; $1 Million from Fines, Fees and Collections; $740,000 from Impact Fees, $750,000 from B&C Road Funds, and $2.4 Million from a variety of sources including grants, event revenues, and developer contributions. The full $28.5 Million was allocated through last year’s budget process with the bulk going to the Enterprise Fund which supports the utilities and is funded by utility revenues; the General Fund which supports government-type activities such as recreation, roads maintenance, public safety, city planning, etc.; and Debt Services. Last year’s budget allocated $1.4 Million to Capital Projects which include the building of roads, parks and buildings.
This Year
The FY’15 Budget process kicked off with the Vision Meeting that was held on January 21st. This was an open meeting that included Mayor Pengra and the entire City Council along with City Administrator Ifo Pili, Assistant City Administrator Jason Walker, Economic Development Director Ikani Taumoepeau, City Recorder Fionnuala Kofoed, Public Information Director Linda Peterson and City Finance Director Paul Jerome. The purpose of this meeting was to share a vision for the future of Eagle Mountain and start talking in very broad terms about the path to realizing that vision. There were several presentations and a couple of activities that were designed to prompt that ‘big picture’ or ‘long view’ perspective. One such exercise was to have The Mayor and members of the City Council write letters to an imaginary friend from the perspective of a decade in the future, describing what Eagle Mountain has become. A future full of parks and paths, great healthcare and educational institutions, good roads and plentiful water seemed to be the combined vision at the end of the exercise. When the meeting ended everyone seemed to be fully engaged in looking forward to the future and willing to put in the work of figuring out how Eagle Mountain gets there from here. The second meeting, held on January 28th, was a Goal meeting. If the first meeting was about defining the vision of the City’s future then this one was all about the City’s goals for this next year. In attendance at the Goal meeting where all the participants in the first meeting along with all of the City’s Department Heads. During the roughly two hour meeting each elected official and city employee took their turn expressing their needs and wants for this next budget year. Redundancy was not only allowed but encouraged by the Mayor, as it gave a great indication of how high a priority some things were. Roads maintenance, secured water supply for the future, supporting and improving our city library and our parks and trails were most common among the repeats. Some of the requests were
Eagle Mountain FY’15 Budget Public Meeting Calendar Council Visioning Meeting - January 21, 2014 – Mayor, City Council, and Senior City Staff meet to discuss their individual and shared vision for Eagle Mountain’s future. Council and Department Heads Meeting - January 28, 2014 – Mayor, City Council, City Administration and City Department Heads meet to discuss general budget requests and priorities. Town Hall Meeting – Exact Date & Time to Be Determined but likely in late February or Early March – An opportunity for the city to solicit community input on Budget items and their priority. City Council Preliminary Budget Review – April 15, 2014 Adoption of Preliminary Budget – May 6, 2014 Public Hearing on Preliminary Budget – May 20, 2014 Final Public Hearing – June 17, 2014
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629 East 1000 South American Fork, UT TAKE EXIT 276 WEST
Camp Floyd State Park a unique part of our state and national history Erika Douglas Staff Writer Once the home to Johnston’s Army, Camp Floyd now boasts the Stagecoach Inn, Commissary/Museum, and Fairfield District Schoolhouse buildings. In addition to touring historic buildings and a museum, Camp Floyd is a living history park which provides an interactive historical experience for the family. Some activities that are particularly interesting are the scout camps. For Cub Scouts, specifically Bears, there is a 2 hour program that is designed to complete achievement 8: The Past is Exciting and Important. Participants learn the history of Camp Floyd and how to march and drill with replica rifles, receive guided tours of the Museum and Stagecoach Inn, discuss history, and receive a treat. The Boy Scout program meets the requirements for the American Heritage Merit Badge and National Historic Trails Award. Boys and their leaders stay overnight in authentic tent replicas that help emphasize the Camp’s history. They also learn about the daily life of a soldier in Johnston’s Army by suiting up in authentic clothing and firing a rifle musket. To find out more or register for these programs, visit the park’s website: campfloyd. utah.gov. Park Director and Eagle Mountain resident Mark Trotter, was pleased to announce that the park received grant funding from the Masonic Foundation of Utah. This allows them to offer scholarships to the summer History Camp for 4 deserving children. The application deadline was January 31, 2014, and those chosen will be contacted by
February 21, 2014. Mr. Trotter is hopeful for another grant next year but said, “We will have to wait and see how they give out grants next year when we apply again.” He is dedicated to bringing the history of Camp Floyd to life for all his guests, young and old. Camp Floyd History Day Camp is a fabulous way for children to have a fun, unique experience during the summer. It is for children ages 8-11 and each session is limited to 24 participants. They learn many activities that would be part of a soldier’s daily life, both the work and the fun. “I love History Camp because you get to learn about the Civil War and do fun things like play marbles, find silver, make clay bricks, and you get to buy stuff at the Commissary with fake money,” said Aiden Larsen of Eagle Mountain. (Soldiers participating in the day camp “earn” wages and are paid in period replica Union bills.) “The battle on the last day is my favorite because you get to show your parents formations.” Children who participate in this camp come away with a better appreciation of history. Registration is available online. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that all the programs are for children. Take a closer look at the website. Recently there was a Murder Mystery day where participants tried to solve a mystery by role playing, while also learning about some of the pastimes of the soldiers at the Camp. Upcoming events include a Geocache Treasure Hunt, the Pony Express 5k, and Utah Expedition Adventure. The Expedition is similar to the day camps but is tailored to families. Check out the website for more information on any of these great programs and consider planning a day filled with historical undertakings. Who knows, learning about an ordinary day in the past might turn out to be an extraordinary day for the modern family.
When Did Social Security Begin?
In 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. It was created out of necessity as the United States was coming out of the Great Depression and numerous aging Americans were struggling. Financing would come from workers and employers and be distributed to retirees. After years of paying into Social Security, it is approaching the time that the largest generation ever will start reaping their benefits.
those age 60 and over. However, it can still be challenging to determine the amount you will receive when you begin taking payments. You can find this information by either calling the SSA or visiting its website (www.ssa.gov). You may also work with a financial services professional to help you get the answers you need to make an informed decision.
When Can You Start Receiving Your Social Security Benefit?
•When you receive a paycheck from your employer, you pay into Social Security •6.2% of your salary is paid into Social Security by you and 6.2% is paid by your employer •40 credits are needed to be eligible to receive benefits •1 credit for every $1,160 made annually •Maximum 4 credits per year •2013 average Social Security benefit is $1,261 •Maximum benefit for 2013 is $2,533 •Highest 35 years of earnings are used to determine your Social Security benefit •If you work less than 35 years, the missing years are counted as zero •Maximum taxable income is $113,700
You may begin to receive early benefits from Social Security at age 62. If you start before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), however, your benefit will be reduced. At age 62, your benefit will only be 75 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Depending on your lifespan, this can drastically reduce the amount of Social Security you receive over your lifetime. Each year you delay receiving your Social Security benefit, your payment will increase. Once you reach your FRA, you can begin receiving your unreduced, full PIA. You can continue to delay receiving benefits until age 70. Your benefit will increase by eight percent each year, from your FRA until a max at age 70. By delaying payments from FRA to age 70, recipients will receive a 32 percent increase in benefits.
In 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) stopped sending out paper statements to Americans, saving an estimated 70 million dollars. In 2012, the SSA resumed sending out statements to
One of the most challenging questions is when to start receiving your Social Security benefit. There are pros and cons to delaying your benefit as well as receiving it as soon as you become eligible. Two primary factors may help
How Does Social Security Work?
Determining Your Primary Insurance Amount
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When Should I Apply for Social Security?
you make your decision. First, do you need the money? If you need the income to cover expenses in retirement, your decision is made. If you do not need the money, it might make sense to delay receiving your benefit and let your future payments continue to increase. The second factor is your health and life expectancy. Individuals in poor health may want to begin receiving their benefits earlier rather than later. If you are in good health and have a history of longevity in your family, it may behoove you to wait. No matter what you decide, there is an element of risk in your decision because your finances and health can change throughout retirement. There are calculators to help you determine your available benefit at various ages. By determining your breakeven age and your projected life expectancy, you can make an informed decision about when to apply for your Social Security
benefit. Can My Social Security Benefit Increase?
Each October, the SSA announces the amount in which monthly benefits will increase. Cost-ofliving adjustments (COLA) are applied to individuals who are already receiving benefits and to those who have not begun yet. COLA is based off the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. There is no guarantee of COLA annually, which can make it more challenging to plan your retirement income. This article was contributed by Loran O’Dell and Mark Donaldson of Accelerated Wealth Advisors located in Lehi, UT. www.acceleratedwealthadvisors.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
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Page 10 The Crossroads Journal
Mushing in UTAH Staff Writer Danielle Palmer Think dog sledding, or mushing, is something they only do in Alaska? On the contrary, dog sledding races take place in Utah, and we have competitors in Eagle Mountain. There are not many dog sledding teams in Utah, so it is interesting that there are three living within a mile of each other. Crossroads contacted Deb Dixon and David Asay for their stories. Eleven years ago, Deborah Dixon and her daughter, Sierra, moved to Utah from New Jersey. When Sierra asked her mother for a Siberian Husky, Deb didn’t know much about the breed at all. She located and contacted a breeder, Michelle Breinholt, about her Kaylenberg Siberians, but they didn’t have puppies available at the time. However, it was the Breinholts who later helped teach the Dixons how to harness and teach their dogs to pull using a tire attached to a line. “We got into sledding because we were interested in the job that the breed was created to do as a Working Dog Breed,” Deb said. “Huskies need a lot of exercise so why not get involved in what they were made to do? I am pretty curious and ad-
Saturday, February 8, 2014 November, Deb earned her first 1st Place win in the 6-dog cart race at the IDidaRace in Park City, running the race with a team made entirely of rescue dogs. The IDidaRace is a dry land race fundraiser sponsored by Arctic Breed Rescue (arcticrescue.com). Cache Valley Mushers, another rescue group, sponsors the K9 Challenge, a snow race held in Logan that also helps rescue efforts. Sierra donates her talents to design T-shirts for the K9 Challenge and IDidaRace. She is now in graduate school at Pratt Institute and only comes home for visits, but Deb still credits her for getting her started in this sport she now loves. While the Husky breed is not right for everyone, Deb said she couldn’t imagine her life without her team and this sport. “My relationship with the dogs is amazing and my friendship with other mushers is equally rewarding.” Deb said. Most of Deb’s rescued Alaskan Huskies have come from Arctic Breed Rescue , founded by Maren and Racer Gibson, located in Provo. Her team grew to include Alaskan Huskies because with their sleeker, leggier build, they are typically faster than other husky breeds. “We do adopt out several dogs every year to recreational mushers.” Maren Gibson said, “At last year’s K9 Challenge dog sled race in Logan, we had 13 dogs from our rescue running on 6 different teams.” They hold clinics to instruct people on how to run sled dogs. The rescued dogs are also adopted out to homes as pets, but Maren says many of these owners still have requested information about mushing. “Huskies are built for pulling.” Maren said, “Sled dogs have been bred for generations to pull sleds. Huskies in particular have been bred to work together by running on teams to be
venturous, and I love the outdoors so it was a great fit.” Deb was directed to Kathy Stender, who owns Kczar Siberian Huskies and is also another reputable breeder, for her puppies, and since these are pack animals, the Dixons took home two male puppies, Romeo and Valentino. The pair is still deeply devoted to one another, even with the addition of more team members. The Dixons now affectionately refer to these two brothers as “The Originals”. A year after buying Romeo and Valentino, Deb teamed up with Eagle Mountain resident Betty Carlson and began obtaining her own equipment and more dogs. Her love of the sport only grew from there. “One of the nice things about the sport is that beginners can find mentors to get them going,” Deb said, “and then they can mentor newbie’s when they gain experience. I am doing that now with Jessie Nelson, who also lives in Eagle Mountain.” Competing in snow races as well as dry land competitions—where non-motorized, wheeled vehicles are used in place of sleds—Deb Dixon says her favorites are the shorter, faster sprint races (4 to 12 miles per day, lasting 2 days). Outside of Utah, racing has taken her to Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and Montana. This past
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able to withstand very cold conditions and to have the endurance to run for hours and days, covering hundreds upon hundreds of miles of terrain.” The Arctic Breed Rescue has also adopted out dogs for mushing to Eagle Mountain residents, the Asays. The Asay family includes three generations of mushers. David Asay, 63; his son Aaron, 40; and Aaron’s children Bodi, 14, and Clara, 10, all look forward to getting on the runners, even David’s younger grandchildren are interested. David Asay and his family started participating in the sport in 1998 during an exhibition to Alaska to watch the Iditarod (Iditarod.com). They moved to Eagle Mountain in 2000 and their involvement in mushing steadily increased until they put together their own team in 2006. They participated in 350-mile races in Montana and shorter sprint races in Wyoming and Utah. Well-known races they have participated in are the Seeley Lake and Race to the Sky, which are qualifying races for the Iditarod. Right now, the Asays focus primarily on local sled dog tours in Park City. “Tours show how much sled dogs can do and how much they love doing it.” David said, “There is a misconception about “making” these dogs run. People ask me how I
make them do it, and I tell them that it’s the wrong question. How do you make them stop is a better way to look at it. Alaskan Huskies are very high energy. If confined they may eat the living room couch and rototill the backyard. Yet with exercise they can make great pets.” Mushing allows the Asays to give adequate exercise to 8-14 Huskies at a time. The Asays are in Park City three days a week running tours through All Seasons Adventures (allseasonsadventures.com) and also help out at the Arctic Breed Rescue. When at home, their Huskies have three acres of land to enjoy. “When out on the trail with a team of Alaskan Huskies, it is completely quiet.” David describes, “All I hear is the snow under the runners and the dogs breathing. They never seem to tire and are always excited when it is time to run. These experiences though common, when I stop to
think, bring tears to my eyes because of their love of doing it and their desire to please. They are truly amazing animals.” The motto at Arctic Breeds is “Harnessing Passion”. This motto truly sums up the love for mushing to David Asay and Deb Dixon. “When all is said and done,” Deb stated, “it is gratifying to work with a group of canine athletes who are doing what they love to do—Run!”
Saturday, February 8, 2014
I BUY ANYTYHING OF VALUE Email me a picture and let know what you’ve got for sale. If the price is right, I’ll Buy it! Email me at ibuyanythingofvalue.com
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Classifieds are only $12.00 for one month or $18.00 for two months. Add a border for $1.00 or a picture for $2.00 (printed in paper) 30 word maximum. for more info call 8017879502 or email wendythecrossroadsjournal@gmail.com
DRUM LESSONS Fun, Certified teacher 42 years experience, positive influence, professional drummer & band leader, all ages/levels. Studio in Saratoga Springs, references available.Please call Ken Culmone 801-768-0708 801-367-2787.
Cars and Trucks FOR SALE GMC S15 2WD Manual $1500
93 Nissan Quest 3.0 rear air 180k clean loaded runs great. 98 Cavalier CNG 236k miles Had new head timing and all gaskets rebuilt. 88 Cherokee Loaded All Power 4X4 Beautiful Condition Small damage on front bumper area. $1500 98 Ford Taurus sedan Runs Great 140k mi $750
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For Rent or Sale Ranches/Townhouse for Rent 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 2 Family rooms, Fenced back yard. No pet’s No Smoking $1050 month first and last months rent and $950 deposit. Call 8018853278
DANI’S DANCING FINGERS teaches piano to all ages 5+ for only $30 monthly, younger classes available. Eagle Mountain City Center. Please call VOICE LESSONS I’ve taken singing lessons for 8 years. I charge $10 per lesson. For more information email me at FCBlazegirl@gmail.com
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PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS! Perfect for any age. Beginner to Advanced. 25 years playing experience, teaching for 14. Have Fun Learning- Theory, technique and duet/quartets. First lesson Free Call Andrea 801-6871468 FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED Pinnacle Youth Services is looking for loving people who want to be foster parents. Receive financial compensation while working with kids in your home. Please call 801-263-2001.
School bus drivers wanted part time and substitute drivers needed please call 801-789-ROCK
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Saturday, February 8, 2014
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