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Show e nr tst w S(aml;inMA'inincr INSIDE to keep you warm Ornament Vulunftrrs al iskir tfotwate with tlunafiurx fur Li.kAI tt-ph- T i,jh;styi.h Making music latun oral mum 113140117 Dmmbtr Land In lime In protlm e DAMS COUNTY'S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 20, 1997 VOL Id, NO. 22150 CENTS Tractor lighting CITY LIMITS issue comes to head LAYTON 0 Good by o hugs given to Graham r Property owners, oty in standoff over proposed business park 3-r- v With hug from tettow council member and glowing prase from Mayor Jerry Stevenson. Lynda Granaro sad goodbye to pulbc office. At her final council meeting Thursday, Graham called her oght years on the council a neb and rewarding experience os site receded a standing . . Py AMY PRAY UiAkm LAVTON - It may become a uanJuff to tee who will agree ovation from effy officials, staff firvt to a development partner tihip in northeast Layton city officials or landowners. - The city's changed its longstanding attitude on incentives, with Mayor Jerry Stevenson tell ing property owners the city would offer them financial help and incentives to potential developers to promote job creation. But Stevenson said that before he can devote tax dollars, he must have a commitment and support from them. "At some point in time, we're going to have to shake hands and trust each other on this, he told landowners in a meeting Tuesday. The city council and planning commission, on advice from city staff, are considering a change in the master plan for 400 acres in northeast Layton and unincor porated Davis County. They suggest a business research park rather than residential zoning for the area north of Slate Road 193. Property owners remain wary of the proposal. They said they'd rather go for a sure thing -building houses - rather than taking a chance and waiting generations for a return on investments. One thing both sides agree on is the need for open lines of com-- . munication during negotiations. But the first round of discussion spawned accusations and frustrations all around. ! Haven Barlow and his family own about 142 acres. He warned that he would not bring his land under any condi. into the city tions. His propertys north border is South Weber, and he said he had other options than to hand over his property and risk not being able to develop it for years. Id go to Vegas and put all my money on the Roulette wheel and be better off, said the former state senator. He asked that an independent firm be hired to study the area and make unbiased recommendations about zoning. City Manager Alex Jensen argued that PacifiCorp already conducted an industrial land evaluation, but Barlow insisted that the studys scope never included housing. Tom Christopulos, the citys economic development specialist, tried to explain to frustrated owners that the city was not trying to keep them from developing their land. However, he said the area was a prime parcel of land in Utah for a business park, attracting high-tecbiomedical and financial service companies. He explained that residential subdivisions only pay for themselves for seven years, where the commercial land would be more valuable in the long run. Statistics show that for every $2 that it costs the city to service residential areas, the residences only give back $1 in taxes. Agriculture, industry and manufacturing are the opposite, costing $1 for service and paying back $2. Retail jobs dont sustain families. Residences dont pay their way, Stevenson said, interested in looking at the plan that could create as many as 6,000 jobs. Weve ridden on a wave of commercial retail development, but eventually its going to stop.. Duncan Barlow, Havens son, thinks the city is putting too much emphasis on the northeast area. Parcels are still available at the industrial park on West Gentile, he said, and some agricultural land in west Layton could h, See LAND2 - 'S-- j- - - , s OHUW All UT UP: Neal Briggs adjusts the lights on his tractor which he and his wife Caroline decorated West in Syracuse. I ttfWK MXXSONSVwVrt to staff an annual tradition at their home on 2500 1 New city manager eager to start West Point begins new form of government with start of job By KyANN MYERS Standard Examiner correspondent WEST POINT - Scott Neilson can't wail until Dec. 29. Thats the day Neilson assumes his duties as the new West Point City manager. He is ready to go and has a plan of attack. I am very excited to get going and get this ball rolling. I am looking forward to working for West Point City, Neilson said. West Point was the only city in Davis e mayor. Neilson's County to have a hiring and new policy adopted by the city to change to mayor and city manager government means that West Point will have a part-tim- e mayor like other cities, and the city manager will be an integral part of the city administration. Neilson was selected from a pool of 35 potential city managers from a national search. Five finalists were selected and interviewed and city officials felt strongly that Neilson had the credentials and talents to full-tim- help foster pride and unity in West Point ing to help make the city run smoothly and City, as well as encourage economic develefficiently. He can help us secure funding to opment and maneuver the city through its improve our infrastructure, bring some economic and business benefits, and help us to population explosion. As the new city manager, Neilson says manage our growth so that we make the best that some of his first projects will be to learn possible decisions with the land in West and carry out the policies of the city council Point. Neilson brings plenty of managerial expeand mayor, develop goals for the city, and rience to the table, lie was a management work with city officials to implement strateintern for Ogden City for two and a half gic planning. and also worked as an administrative years, I want to really identify the strengths and weaknesses of There are assistant for the Weber Counti-Asscsso- rs ' Office. He was also the town administrator many, many strong points.This is a great for Pahrump, Nev. community, but it does have its weakI !c graduated from Ogden I ligh School in nesses, said Neilson. Once weve identified strengths, we can build on them and cn- - 1982 and received his bachelors degree in courage other strengths, and by identifying political science from Weber Slate Universiweaknesses we can formulate change and . ty and a masters degree in public adminis- -' tration from the University of Utah. He is a better the city." part-tim- e political science instructor at Wecouncil is excited to see the city The city State ber University and likes to golf and manager position finally come to fruition. ' in his spare time. He currently lives in The city has been toying with the idea of a read Midvale. city manager for years and finally decided Neilson will begin work as a brand new the time had come. takes the helm of West Point City. mayor Scott's going to be really good," said city councilman Dennis Montgomery. Hes go- -See MANAGER2 West-Point.- and the audience. Stevenson, who defeated Graham to wm Ns second term, presented a clock to her with the inscription "n appreciation lor your sconce and friendship You truly are a friend. You're family, he said. Marcia Knorr, a member ol the parks and recreation commission, also spoke fondly of the woman considered a neighborhood advocate and supporter of Layton arts. She does things for no other reason than because she loves her community. Knorr said. Layton's a better place tor the time Lyndia's served." Renny Knowlton will be sworn in as the new councilman Jan. 15. Christmas tree collection set The city's garbage collection contractor, Roche & Sons, will pick up natural Christmas trees until Jan. 15. Residents with small trees can cut them up and place them their garbage container. Large trees can be placed on the curb on the scheduled day of pickup. Farmington Changes made for planning panel Three new planning commission members were appointed recently by the mayor and approved by the city council. Sunset family stays upbeat about holiday . . . with The council also approved a housekeeping resolution designed to make planning commission rules consistent ... with Farmington upside-dow- n tree and an open house ar By D. LOUISE BROWN Standard-Examin- correspondent SUNSET - More than 250 friends and family members will gather at the Sunset home of John and Nada Nicholas on Sunday for the Nicholases 30th annual Christmas open house. ChristThe annual upside-dow- n mas tree decorations will entertain them, as well as the chance to renew acquaintances and enjoy Christmas treats. Thirty years ago, John Nicholas was serving as both mayor and stake president of Sunset. We decided it would be just as easy to do this as to send cards or gifts to everyone, Nada says. So the Nicholases invited folks to come on over, and they have continued to do so every year since, holding the open house annually on the Sunday evening just before Christmas. According to the Nicholases, people like to speculate on the theme of the upside-dow- n Christmas tree. Years ago Nada saw a tree hanging in a department upside-dow- n store, says John. It was all fixed up with crystals, like a chandelier. She asked me, Can you make me one like that? I said No. She said, Are you sure? And I said, Well, maybe. So I got up in the attic and reinforced it up there, and hung up a hook. Ever since then, our Christmas tree has hung upside down from the ceiling. The Nicholases are quick to recite the advantages of such a tree: the ornaments hang free, City ordinances. Paul Freed and Gwen Hill were appointed to serve four-yeterms beginning Jan. 1. David Hale will fill the unexpired term for Dale Buxton. The three new members replace Constance Hughes, Niels Plant and Dale Buxton. The planning commission performs a very important function in city government. It is empowered by state statute to develop and update the citys General Plan when needed," said City Manager Max Forbush. Under the changes the planning commission will hold public hearings before making proposed amendments to the General Plan and forward its recommendations to the council for its consideration. Another change centers around the number of affirmative votes needed to decide any matter. Old planning commission rules specified the number to be four. The new resolution will make the number three, like the for the neighborhood BRIAN NICHOLSONStandard-Examine- Christmas tree, John and Nada Nicholas of Sunset show off their upside-dowdecorated this year with a Mardi Gras theme. Each year they hold an open house for family and friends. OH, CHRISTMAS TREE: n floor space is freed up, and little fingers arent as much of a threat. They laughingly admit that some of the neighborhood children, who refer to the Nicholases as Grandma and Grandpa Nicks, call them crazy because their tree is upside-dowThats all right, John says. They still like to comeA over to see it. , Past years' themes; have included a Cinderella tree, deco- -' rated with figures and a toach, a chandelier tree with mirrors and n. V :opy fruro mhhut Active CD .5 -- lia. crystals, and an Oriental tree, complete with live goldfish in hanging globes. Abundant lights are a must. This years tree, with its brightly colored Mardi Gras theme, boasts 3,000 lights. The Nicholases four children return home for the party, bringing their spouses and families. They provide welcome assistance and enjoy meeting old friends and family. It's just kind of like a big, friendly reunion, John says. ' The Nicholases stress that the f council. , open house is for all. Anybody who wants to come is invited, says Nada. Its fun. People just come and go. We enjoy it. John adds, Its been a pleasant experience. It does get kind of crowded, but thats OK. It's been a great way to greet old friends as well as make new ones. The open house will be Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. at 146 West 1900 North, in Sunset. Farmington Pond area now closed Farmington Pond and hiking now closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. When construction is completed, the pond will be refilled and stocked with fish by the State Division of Wildlife Resources. trail is |