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Show www.thespectrum.com ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS For the week of September 8, 2008 — The Spectrum — 7 Local agency receives Rural Honors award BY LINDA SAPPINGTON Established by the Utah Inter-local Cooperation Act For St. George Neighborhoods of 1965, which called for ST. GEORGE — The 54 regional cooperation and employees ofthe Five County © allowed local governments Association of Governments to work together to adminrecently received the ister programs of mutual Rural Honors Award from benefit, these regional orgaSouthern Utah University, nizations have expanded presented jointly by SUU’s operations and enhanced Regional Services Office to their menu of services and the employees of Bear River programs to meet identified Association ofGovernments, local needs and priorities Uintah Basin Association of over the 40-plus years of Governments, Southeastern their existence. However, Utah Association of Local the ultimate goal of each Governments and the Six AOG remains “to help local County Association of governments in their regions Governments. define and meet common The award to “Utah's five needs through inclusive and predominantly rural AOG’s” coordinated program planincluded recognition of their ning and implementation? numerous and diverse serWhile the services offered vices and programs, includby the AOGs are vital, the ing, but not limited to “child staff and employees of each care resource and referral, organization — “those who senior and aging services, diligently toil day-to-day to family and other human make these programs a critservices, housing rehabilitaical success” — are seldom tion and heating assistance, recognized. volunteer coordination, Citing the wording of community planning and the award, Ken Sizemore, development, economic Executive Director of the development and business Five County Association of finance, transportation and Governments, noted, “each resource planning. ofthese Associationsinclude Scholarship established For St. George Neighborhoods ST. GEORGE — The “CaringforAmerica’ outreach program of the Washington County Republican Women has established a scholarship at Dixie State College to provide financial assistance with college expenses for our soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Dixie Escalante Electric's generous donation to the scholarship fund will continue to provide the needed funds for the Washington County veterans. of Afghanistan and Iraq. Working with the Utah National ,Guard,, a, mosaic postef was created from pic- dozens of employees and contract staff, many working long and non-traditional hours to meet the needs of their respective regions and residents — often with compensation well below their counterparts in similar state and federal assignments. To maintain this outstanding workforce, AOGs must find creative ways to fund vital positions from various sources to keep staff assigned to essential programs and maintain delivery, particularly as the administrative portion of federal and state budgets diminishes for local efforts. Despite those ever-present challenges, the AOG workforce continues to deliver the critical services which keep rural Utah, our communities and _ residents moving forward” In its 36-year history, the Five County Association of Governments — which prides itself on developing and launching programs to address the needs of the the Color Country Travel and Tourism Council; Color Country Community Housing Program; the Five ounty Senior Companion Program; volunteer centers in Washington, IronandKane counties; Dixie Area Transit System (DARTS), the precursor to SunTran in St. George; UU IGLES UP Les St m Osler Cedar Area Transit System (CATS); the Emergency Food Network; and, publishes the Five County Human Services Resource Directory. For more information about the programs of the Five County Association of Governments, call 6733548. alee weds eae reel Elitel WIRELESS tures of “Utah's golden boys” of the historic 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery Battalion. Framed copies of the “Saluting Soldier” poster are provided to companies and individuals making donations to the scholarship fund. These posters are also available for public purchase at the offices of Alan Crooks. To make donations or to buy a copy of the poster, contact Crooks at 656-1966, Wil- RMPROF=ESSIONALS Personalize .Your Phone! Skins are in and we have them cheaper than online! Many to choose! FREEon. ¥ | ACTIVATION! WE CARRY ACCESSORIES ma Courtney at 634-0916 or Susan Recknagel at 628-8703. Veterans interested in applying for the scholarship should contact Susan Perschon at the college, 6527500. residents of Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties — has been the driving force behind many innovative human service programs. In partnership with other agencies, CDBG and CSBG funding and Five County AOG staff were major players in the development of the SW Community Health Center, Dixie Care and Share, SW Utah Public Health Department, Adult Education Program to improve literacy in the region; local fire stations; congregate meal program at local senior centers; the original Gang Task Force and Mill Creek High School's Young Parent Program; and secured funding for the Senior Centers’ hot shot trucks which provide hot meals-on-wheels to hundreds of senior citizens. in the region. The Five County Association of Governments has also created and launched such programs. as 5 155N. Blu es 435-674-7100 . St. George (Across From Ace) Call For Tickets. | (877) 652-3389 « tuacahn.org |