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Show AN rTTION or T IX E r--rT LDTccna - TAT I ON i STL 100 MM YOUR TOWN, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR NEWSPAPER THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2005 50 CENTS jjjjfj TOWN HALL: Senior zoning ordinance revamped BUSINESS: Rooter solving snow damage problems SPORTS: Cavemen preparing to make the jump to 5A Schools AF HIGH DRAMA ACTS OUT UNIQUE EXPERIENCE Mf AF s improvements near completion for 26 locations Heidi Rodeback NORTH COUNTY STAff 1 to 26 city parks J in American Fork will be completed ahead of schedule, and their value will be felt throughout the city, members of the design-build team reported to the City Council on April 19. "Depending on the rain, the last planting at the last park will be done in May or June," said Ron Ebert of Allstate Construction, Con-struction, general contractor for the parks upgrade. The planting of grass and trees is the final step in the construction of a new park, coming last after irrigation, walkways, benches, tables and playgrounds have been installed. "We are pleased to be able to say that we presented a plan that was exciting to the steering committee and the City Council, and we followed that plan," said Jay Bollwin-kel, Bollwin-kel, landscape architect for MGBA. Representing the two firms selected as the design-build team for the upgrade, Ebert and Bollwinkel gave a recap of all that was accomplished during dur-ing the two-year window for , improvements funded by the parks bond. Approved by voters in early 2003, the S3.2 million bond provided for the development of five park properties already 1,-3 We got more than our money's worth. Everyone tried to get at least $1.10 out of every dollar." Ted Barrett AMERICAN FORK MAYOR owned by the city and for upgrades to 21 existing city parks. City officials were generous in their praise of the design-build design-build team. "We picked the right group. They've done a wonderful job," said Mayor Ted Barratt. "They've had the city's goodwill good-will at heart." Councilwoman Juel Belmont said, "I felt confidence in these people. They have been up front and straightforward with us. They never tried to take advantage of us." While the team's resume was an important factor in its selection previous credits include Ensign Gardens in Salt Lake City and The Gardens at Thanksgiving Point Kenny See PARKS, Page 2 piT u SO0U(O if ( tl i -: i "v. He - i f 1 I I i . if - If i J FRANK BOTTNortn Lounty Colton Smith, 3, climbs the flexible bars at Pioneer Park in American Fork on Friday afternoon with his friends and family. Task force chair enjoying success i ft - ' -a 4 wi"'-XJ FRANK BOTTNorth County Kenny Hoggan, chairman of the American Fork city parks improvement task force, slides down one of the many slides at Miller Park. Miller Park is one of 26 parks upgraded or built within the past two years. Heidi Rodeback NORTH' OUNTYVAi-f T"l F""I rThen Kenny Hog-l Hog-l fisl I gan sees a city 1 1 If 11 II park, he smiles. tlf 11 "Every time he I l I sees kids playing VmJ mi in the parks, he's just really happy," said his wife, Charlene. "He feels like he has accomplished ac-complished something of benefit to the community." Few of the children swinging from the play structures suspect that their fun came about, in large part, because of this volunteer's tenacious willpower. Hoggan's ability to manage man-age people and processes became a large factor in the success of the parks grade. "Kenny's done a great job," said Mayor Ted Barratt. There's a certain level that was accomplished because of Kenny's ability to stay on task." The parks upgrade began in April of 2002, when three separate city committees cooperated to propose a bond for the improvement of 26 city parks. Hoggan, a delegate from the Recreation Committee, agreed to chair the task force. "Kenny was very focused you soon became aware of that fact," said Evan Brady, a delegate from Neighbors in Actioa "Those three committees had one interest parks and once they all came together, it worked." Within six weeks, the group had reached a consensus, and a proposal for a parks bond was in the hands of the City Council. Councilwoman Juel Belmont at tributed the bond's quick progress to Hoggan's organizational skills. A project manager by profession, Hoggan brought his experience in the information technology industry to the task. "HLs charts and spreadsheets were the best," Belmont said. "1 always al-ways took advantage of them; they helped us keep on track and keep moving forward." Hoggan's accomplishments in the parks show the discipline and drive one would expect from an avid runner run-ner or biker or swimmer. In fact, Hoggan is all three. He has run three marathons, and frequently competes in triathlons. "Kenny is amazing," said his wife. "The guy can't ever sit down he's always doing something." It was at a local fun run that Hoggan Hog-gan first met Councilman Ricky Storrs, who had him appointed to the Recreation Committee. "In those years, there was a lot of discussion of the parks, but there wasn't a lot we could do," Hoggan said. "There was no real accomplishment until we started focusing on the parks bond.". Hoggan knew that progress would be too slow for ids own children chil-dren to benefit, but still felt it needed to be done. "It was really more out of a desire to see it happen for the community than for my own personal use," he said His concern for the community was typical of his personality. "Kenny is very service-oriented" Charlene said "He is always giving Briefing Orcm CITY SIGNS ON TO HELP MIDTOWN VILLAGE Developer Larry Myler is closer than ever to beginning begin-ning construction on the long awaited Midtown Village project. The Orem City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to issue $7 million worth of warrants to help finance the underground un-derground parking structure. The city-financed parking spaces will belong to the city, for public use. or for use by users of the Midtown Village services. During the council's vote and discussion, all council members expressed enthusiasm for the project and hope to see the large holes surrounding the white tower on State Street become the promised development that will combine housing with retail space and offices. Highland CITY OKS NEW FIRE STATION - A new HighlandAlpine HighlandAl-pine fire station is one step closer to reality. The Highland City Council voted unanimously on April 19 to approve the construction of the first phase of a fire station in the Town Center. The plan is to complete the structure in two phases. The first phase will contain bays for the fire trucks and a room for the firefighters. There will be no basement, but the structure will be designed to accommodate the future addition. Lehi 'BLACKIE' HARRIS NAMED GRAND MARSHAL - The Lehi Civic Improvement Association announced the grand marshal for Lehi Roundup 2005 Carl (Blackie) Harris. The Lehi resident has served 35 years with the association and on its board for nearly 14 years. He has been the commander of the American Legion Lehi Post 19 for 25 years. Harris was instrumental in building the new bleachers for the rodeo grounds, and he served on the rodeo committee for 35 years and founded Little League football in the area. "To me personally, Blackie is just a real example of someone who has served tirelessly for his community," said Stan Lewis, association president. "American Fork thinks so much of him they named a recreation field after him where they play football over behind their armory." Pleasant Grove Site? See HOGGAN, Page 2 FRANK BOTTNorth County Ed Olpin works on his drag racing car inside his garage behind I'lvusunt drove's Olpin Family Mortuary. Olpin won first place in the Las Vegas Nationals for drug raving. LOCAL DRAG RACER WINS NATIONAL EVENT After several decades as a drag racer. Pleasant Grove resident Ed Olpin recently had his chance to stand in the spotlight after winning his first national drag racing event. In order to claim the national title at the Summit National Na-tional Competition held on April 1 7 in Las Vegas, racers set out to run a perfect quarter-mile course. 10.07 seconds. sec-onds. The bracket competition began with 140 drivers and after eight racing brackets, Olpin won the final round by a close .02 seconds. "They were all close races," Olpin said. "I was most worried about the semifinal round. I raced against my good friend from Arizona who has won several national events. I pulled through and ran a perfect race that round, 10.07 seconds." Saratoga Springs PUBLIC MARINA UPGRADED - With higher lake levels and secured funding for major improvements, the Saratoga Springs public marina will be able to accommodate ac-commodate most water recreation activity for the first time. Whether it's fishing or boating on Utah Lake, or just having a picnic, city officials are hoping that with a new grant and city money totaling almost $200,000, improvements will help make the marina a destination in the lakeside community. Last year, because of the low water levels in Utah Lake, Saratoga Springs didn't charge a fee to launch a boat from the city's marina. This year, because of the higher water levels and what Mayor Tim Parker hopes will be a busy marina, there will most likely be a fee. From staff reports L WWW.HARKTHEHERALD.COMNORTHCOUNTY CALL 375-S103 TO SUBSCRIBE J v'Vv - rf-' vrvr-BvtMMr -OVER IBCETS-' IBCETS-' JIpUSH! " mm 'GENE ' FFJ I .i r . BOM)- ;." r. m j rrrrrii'XOT -tour,, n T ' CJ3QCD J REBATE! 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